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Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

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  • #1

    Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

    Is there any correlation between findings of echogenic foci in a fetal echocardiogram and HCM? (when family history of HCM is present)

    I had to have a fetal echo during both pregnancies since I was on paroxetene for a few weeks before I knew I was pregnant each time. My daughter's had some echogenic foci, though at the time, they told me they are 'harmless' and she'll probably outgrow them. At that time, we didn't know of my dad's HCM though. My son's fetal echo did not find any echogenic focus.

    Thanks!
    - Father diagnosed with obstructive HCM in February 2012 by Johns Hopkins
    - Father having open reduction surgery on April 16, 2012 at Johns Hopkins
    - I am in the process of setting up appointments to get myself checked for HCM
    - I am 35 with hypothyroidism - not yet checked for HCM
    - Daughter born in 2009 & son born in 2011 - neither checked yet for HCM
    Tags: children, echogenic focus, fetal, infant, toddler
  • #2
    Re: Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

    I've never heard of this before, but I do know that most people who develop HCM usually do so in their teens or later. Have you heard about the HCMA meeting in NJ the first weekend in June? Experts from all over the country will be in attendance, be giving lectures, and will be available for everyone to talk to. You might want to consider going if you can swing it.
    Reenie

    ****************
    Husband has HCM.
    3 kids - ages 23, 21, & 19. All presently clear of HCM.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

      We might attend. We live in the southern part of New Jersey near Philadelphia so it is a definite possibility.

      Thanks!
      - Father diagnosed with obstructive HCM in February 2012 by Johns Hopkins
      - Father having open reduction surgery on April 16, 2012 at Johns Hopkins
      - I am in the process of setting up appointments to get myself checked for HCM
      - I am 35 with hypothyroidism - not yet checked for HCM
      - Daughter born in 2009 & son born in 2011 - neither checked yet for HCM

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

        Never heard of this either, but would be very interested in knowing. I have one baby boy with HCM and I'm pregnant with baby#2. As a mother with one child with HCM, worry for the next is already there.

        I do know that none of the early pregnancy altrasounds with Marcus showed any sign of HCM. He had a normal healthy heart. The doctors do believe he was born with his HCM though...

        -Hilary
        Mother to:
        Son with HCM
        DOB 3-21-2011
        Diagnosed: Sept. 2011
        Genetic Testing Confirmed: August 24, 2012

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

          My first born had echogenic foci in her heart but it disappeared before she was born. She carries gene mutations that cause HCM but at 4 yo does not have HCM. I've asked both a geneticist & optic nerve specialist (calcium deposits are in her eye's nerves as well) about the cause of her calcium deposits . . . they both say they were not caused by genes (unlike HCM). So the echogenic foci was not caused by her HCM causing mutations, according to our doctors. I know that echogenic foci is linked to having a chromosome problems but that's it.
          Diagnosed during pregnancy age 30, July 2007
          2 mutated genes found in Feb 2009
          ICD Nov 12, 2009
          2 daughters born in '07 & '09. Normal EKGs.
          No known family history of HCM
          In 1995, at age 18, an echo for a misdiagnosed mvp showed HCM but it went unnoticed.
          Still jog and feel no symptoms on most days.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

            Thank you! I've been googling but I'm not finding what I'm looking for so this is very helpful. I'm scheduled for screening in June (first I could get because Penn Cardiology is always booked solid) and I will be discussing HCM with the pediatrician at my son's 9 month appointment in May. I have a feeling they will want to wait and see if I have it before they proceed with screening my two children. I'm not sure how I feel about that though...

            Thanks again!
            Christina
            - Father diagnosed with obstructive HCM in February 2012 by Johns Hopkins
            - Father having open reduction surgery on April 16, 2012 at Johns Hopkins
            - I am in the process of setting up appointments to get myself checked for HCM
            - I am 35 with hypothyroidism - not yet checked for HCM
            - Daughter born in 2009 & son born in 2011 - neither checked yet for HCM

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Echogenic Focus in Fetal Echo & HCM

              Regardless of whether or not you have HCM diagnosed, unless you have a negative genetic test for your father's mutation that caused his HCM you will want to have your kids screened. Since they're so small it won't hurt to wait a while, but around 10 would be a good time to start if they don't have symptoms before then. And some people screen sooner to get baseline numbers. My own kids have been screened annually since they were 8, 6, and 4.
              Reenie

              ****************
              Husband has HCM.
              3 kids - ages 23, 21, & 19. All presently clear of HCM.

              Comment

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