calcium deposit on heart

julieheck · 01-29-2008, 02:08 PM

HI,
I am 40, was 39 when I got pregnant. The nuchal scan + blood work around 12 weeks said my risk of downs was 1/1600. We did not do amnio after that due to the results being so good.

Today at the 20-21 week US, the only soft marker they say for Downs was a calcium deposit on the heart. I was a bit shocked and do not recall everything the doctor said...although he said he still thinks my risk stays at 1/1600 due to the 1st trimester screen and blood work coming back so good.
I see my doctor tomorrow, so now I have a list of questions for him.

Has anyone seen calcium deposits on the heart? Did other tests predict downs ? If you have had the child, did they have downs?
Just trying to get info before seeing the doctor....they said I can still have the amnio but DH is totally against it since it could be a risk to the baby.

**BC-GoMom** · 01-29-2008, 08:55 PM

The only other calcium deposit I have heard of that was trouble was a past pastor's wife. Their ds had a serious heart defect, but he did not have down syndrome. I know I remember of hearing calcium on the heart here at FT but I do not remember the outcome.

My first question would be can you get a pediatric cardiology consult. They would probably know the most.
Let us know... saying a prayer
J

Blondie8 · 01-29-2008, 09:04 PM

Usually when they find a soft marker for anything the geneticist will recalculate your triple screen result. With both my living children there was a choroid plexus cyst (CPC) seen in the brain, not calcium but it is a soft marker for Trisomy 13. There is a big difference between soft markers and hard markers for anything in the trisomy range, including Trisomy 21 (Down's); an echogenic foci (calcium blob) in the heart is considered a soft marker.

A couple of suggestions; try to take someone with you to any appointment you go to, once that terror wave hits your ears stop working, at least mine always did. Talk to your Doc about seeing a Peri for a second opinion, possibly having another Radiologists review the USS images and also see about seeing a Medical Genetics person about the need to possibly recalculate your AFP, this will give you more information.

I'm sorry that you're going through this, technology can do wonderful things but sometimes provide information that is of no signficiance to the outcome.

julieheck · 01-30-2008, 01:44 PM

Thank you for the support ladies.

I went to my peri this morning. He said it is such a soft marker and very questionable that he agrees with the doctor who did the ultrasound that my odds of a downs child is still 1/1600 (0.06%) and my risk of the other trisomies is still 1/3000. He said current literature and research shows about 10-20% of normal chromosonal babies have at least one calcium deposit on their heart.
Still a little worried but he said if I find I am loosing sleep the next week to call and I can still get an amnio if we choose to find out for sure. Otherwise we wait another 19 weeks or so.

After seeing my peri, I am much relieved. He said if they would have saw other hard or soft markers he may have recalculated my risk from prior testing.(blood work and nuchal scan) My DH went with me this morning so he helped to remember questions and ask questions.

maddiemonk · 01-31-2008, 04:52 PM

Hi there!

I just read your post and was so upset to hear that you are having to deal with the anxiety around this information. I recently worked with a patient who had a similar experience. Her peri saw an echogenic foci and stated that it was a soft marker for Down's. It basically put a damper on the rest of her pregnancy but she chose not to have an amnio. She had a fine nucal scan and tried to keep remembering that. In Sept, she delivered a perfectly healthy baby boy.

Take a deep breathe!!!! Sometimes I think medicine has become toooo advanced.

Good luck to you.

julieheck · 02-01-2008, 11:49 AM

maddiemonk thanks for the uplifting story.
We are thinking about the positives, such as her heart strutcture is fine and there were not other hard or soft markers for downs.....

**BC-GoMom** · 02-12-2008, 10:26 AM

Julie,
Did you find out the sex?

julieheck · 02-12-2008, 11:02 AM

Yes we are having a girl.
Do you have any information about gender and calcium deposits on the heart?

I had read that often in boys this turns out to be nothing...not sure or can not find much about girls. Doctor still thinks it is more common in normal chromosonal children than previously thought (newer advanaced equipment he is seeing more of these and all is fine in many cases and with absense of all other markers and normal 1st trimester testing and blood work throughout).

Still hoping and praying that it just goes away. We have another scan on 3/5 to check the growth of my fobroids and I am hoping they check the heart again.

**BC-GoMom** · 02-12-2008, 01:02 PM

A girl.... gotta love those little princesses! I have a goofy one and a diva!
I know nothing about gender and calcium....

I have no doubt that they are finding things like that there are out in the general population causing no problems. It is just a pc of info....

Just enjoy thinking about your sweet baby girl that will be here soon!

julieheck · 03-06-2008, 07:53 PM

Yes she will be our princess.

We had another Ultrasound at 25 weeks and 4 days and now no calcium deposit? Not sure if it is normal to disappear...but the doctor seems to feel she is 100% normal!
Have a wonderful day!

01-29-2008, 02:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
julieheck 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ST Louis Posts: 259	calcium deposit on heart HI, I am 40, was 39 when I got pregnant. The nuchal scan + blood work around 12 weeks said my risk of downs was 1/1600. We did not do amnio after that due to the results being so good. Today at the 20-21 week US, the only soft marker they say for Downs was a calcium deposit on the heart. I was a bit shocked and do not recall everything the doctor said...although he said he still thinks my risk stays at 1/1600 due to the 1st trimester screen and blood work coming back so good. I see my doctor tomorrow, so now I have a list of questions for him. Has anyone seen calcium deposits on the heart? Did other tests predict downs ? If you have had the child, did they have downs? Just trying to get info before seeing the doctor....they said I can still have the amnio but DH is totally against it since it could be a risk to the baby.

01-29-2008, 08:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,917	The only other calcium deposit I have heard of that was trouble was a past pastor's wife. Their ds had a serious heart defect, but he did not have down syndrome. I know I remember of hearing calcium on the heart here at FT but I do not remember the outcome. My first question would be can you get a pediatric cardiology consult. They would probably know the most. Let us know... saying a prayer J __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

01-29-2008, 09:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blondie8 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Swimming in a sea of Smarties Posts: 2,807	Usually when they find a soft marker for anything the geneticist will recalculate your triple screen result. With both my living children there was a choroid plexus cyst (CPC) seen in the brain, not calcium but it is a soft marker for Trisomy 13. There is a big difference between soft markers and hard markers for anything in the trisomy range, including Trisomy 21 (Down's); an echogenic foci (calcium blob) in the heart is considered a soft marker. A couple of suggestions; try to take someone with you to any appointment you go to, once that terror wave hits your ears stop working, at least mine always did. Talk to your Doc about seeing a Peri for a second opinion, possibly having another Radiologists review the USS images and also see about seeing a Medical Genetics person about the need to possibly recalculate your AFP, this will give you more information. I'm sorry that you're going through this, technology can do wonderful things but sometimes provide information that is of no signficiance to the outcome. __________________ Keep Calm and Carry On Slogan printed on posters in 1939 by the UK government Last edited by Blondie8; 01-29-2008 at 09:13 PM.

01-31-2008, 04:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
maddiemonk 600-699 post 8 of hearts Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: new york city Posts: 600	try to relax Hi there! I just read your post and was so upset to hear that you are having to deal with the anxiety around this information. I recently worked with a patient who had a similar experience. Her peri saw an echogenic foci and stated that it was a soft marker for Down's. It basically put a damper on the rest of her pregnancy but she chose not to have an amnio. She had a fine nucal scan and tried to keep remembering that. In Sept, she delivered a perfectly healthy baby boy. Take a deep breathe!!!! Sometimes I think medicine has become toooo advanced. Good luck to you. __________________ Me(47) DH(44) DE IVF ICSI 10/08 BFP We had a girl on June 30th at noon! 2 med. IUI cycles 3/08 & 4/08 BFN DE IVF ICSI 6/07 BFP 8/07 Natural pregnancy@43 11/05 12/05

02-12-2008, 10:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,917	Julie, Did you find out the sex? __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

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01-30-2008, 01:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
julieheck 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ST Louis Posts: 259	Thank you for the support ladies. I went to my peri this morning. He said it is such a soft marker and very questionable that he agrees with the doctor who did the ultrasound that my odds of a downs child is still 1/1600 (0.06%) and my risk of the other trisomies is still 1/3000. He said current literature and research shows about 10-20% of normal chromosonal babies have at least one calcium deposit on their heart. Still a little worried but he said if I find I am loosing sleep the next week to call and I can still get an amnio if we choose to find out for sure. Otherwise we wait another 19 weeks or so. After seeing my peri, I am much relieved. He said if they would have saw other hard or soft markers he may have recalculated my risk from prior testing.(blood work and nuchal scan) My DH went with me this morning so he helped to remember questions and ask questions.

02-01-2008, 11:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
julieheck 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ST Louis Posts: 259	maddiemonk thanks for the uplifting story. We are thinking about the positives, such as her heart strutcture is fine and there were not other hard or soft markers for downs.....

02-12-2008, 11:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
julieheck 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ST Louis Posts: 259	Yes we are having a girl. Do you have any information about gender and calcium deposits on the heart? I had read that often in boys this turns out to be nothing...not sure or can not find much about girls. Doctor still thinks it is more common in normal chromosonal children than previously thought (newer advanaced equipment he is seeing more of these and all is fine in many cases and with absense of all other markers and normal 1st trimester testing and blood work throughout). Still hoping and praying that it just goes away. We have another scan on 3/5 to check the growth of my fobroids and I am hoping they check the heart again.

02-12-2008, 01:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,917	A girl.... gotta love those little princesses! I have a goofy one and a diva! I know nothing about gender and calcium.... I have no doubt that they are finding things like that there are out in the general population causing no problems. It is just a pc of info.... Just enjoy thinking about your sweet baby girl that will be here soon! __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

03-06-2008, 07:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
julieheck 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ST Louis Posts: 259	Yes she will be our princess. We had another Ultrasound at 25 weeks and 4 days and now no calcium deposit? Not sure if it is normal to disappear...but the doctor seems to feel she is 100% normal! Have a wonderful day!

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