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Yes, we see those a lot too. Again, it is considered a very soft marker; meaning it has a connection to Down syndrome, but not a really strong one. I have worked in three high risk prenatal clinics so far, and 2 of them mentioned it as a possible "marker" for Down syndrome and the third didn't even mention it. We would actually consider a short femur (thigh bone) and humerous (arm bone) to be stronger indicators of Down syndrome than CPCs. Always keep in mind that markers are NOT birthdefects. The echogenic focus typically will go away and not cause any problems what-so-ever. As for the CPCs these are something researchers believe can come and go through out an individuals life. They have been found in children, adults, and even elderly people without any consequences. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Megan, thank you for your reply regarding the EIF. I guess my next question to you would be do you think with the combination of the cpc--which are now gone--and the EIF-- I should have the amnio??? Im really not wanting to do that since as you said these are both "soft" markers. The only other thing was my triple screen test came back 1 in 121 for downs. But like I said they had my race wrong, and Im not even sure they had my week of pregnancy correct. They supposedly adjusted it after they changed my race, but Im still not sure that this test is really reliable. But during my level II ultrasound, they apparently checked everything on the baby, and the only thing they found was the EIF, since the cpc's which were there 5 days ago had disappeared or the sonographer said they may have never been there, it could have just been shadows since my doctors US equiptment is not as high tech as theirs. Please tell me what you think I should do. Im 30 years old, and this is my first baby. I would appreciate any advice from you!! Thank you so much!!

I know you weren't happy w/ statistics before, but I'll tell you what I know, and then try to simplfy. At 30 years old your risk to have a baby w/ Down syndrome is 1/690 (.1%) and your risk to have a baby w/ trisomy 18 was 1/2000 (.05%). Now, having two soft markers may increase that risk slightly to 1/300 (.3%) for Down syndrome and 1/378 (.26%) for trisomy 18. Every single one of these numbers (including the miscalculated triple screen) is less than 1%!!! That means that even with the increased chances, there is still at 99% chance the baby will not have one of these chromosome problems. Now, if you are just too anxious and can't stand it, then yes an amnio is an option (with a miscarriage risk of approximately 1/300 (.3%) - which is about the same chance to have a baby with one of those conditions). You just have to weight the options in your head. I'm sorry, that probably wasn't very helpful, but it is completely your choice and no one should force you (doctors included) into doing anything. What would you do with the information if it came back that there was a problem? That is something to consider too, but always keep the 99% chance in your mind that these soft markers (NOT birth defects) mean NOTHING! I'd say 99% chance is pretty good! Be happy you're pregnant. Enjoy the time. It is amazing! Leave the worrying to watching your baby grow up!!

Megan, thank you so much for your advice and information. You are right, this should be a happy exciting time for me, and its turned into a nightmare with all of the worrying Ive been doing. I feel so much better after reading your last message that explained the "statistics" to where I could actually understand it! Thanks sooo much for taking the time to rea__sure me and make me feel better about this.

At my 18 wk ultrasound, the doctor discovered a CPC in my son's brain. It dissolved by 23 wks. He is a perfectly healthy three year old now! It's natural to worry, but I've discovered many more positive stories, than negative ones.

Hello Marla, I am 26yrs old and having my first baby. I am currently 22 weeks and scared! I found out today at my check up that the baby has a small cyst on the left side. I don't understand what the next step to take? Do I get another ultrasound? I have dicussed with my husband that we don't want to do an animo. I feel so uneducated! Will this be seen on a ultrasound later in my pregenacy? Any help would be apprciated.

The majority of CPCs disappear by 24-26 weeks gestation though that of course doesn't change the fact that they were there in the first place. They'll probably do another ultrasound like you said and that's really all they can do as long as other problems aren't identified and you're not interested in an amnio. Always remember that these are not birthdefects and as many as 1% of pregnancies have CPCs.

I'm joining the club here . . . . had 20-wk ultrasound which indicated "fluid sacs" that my Dr. is not worried about, but would like to follow up on. My concern in this: My Dr. didn't say anything about Trisomy or Down's, but she did mention Clubfoot. What's up with that?

Hello Meghan, Do you think that this is just a issue of when my ultra was done? If we waited a few more weeks this cyst would probaly not show up right? Is this just a case of how intense the technology has become, which is not always good. As in this cause, makes us worry for no reason? thank you for you help!

Ya, pretty much. I think the technology has surpa__sed our understanding of what it means. It can be really frustrating, but I guess it's good that we are advancing you know. At some point I'm sure we'll be able to provide more info, unfortunately right now they have to tell you if they see anything. Because the risk is low, some doctors won't mention trisomy 18 (especially since those babies usually have other findings as well) and Down syndrome is not typically a__sociated with CPCs.

Yesterday I had an ultrasound at 19weeks. Like everyone here the Midwife told me that the tech saw two "very small cysts" (those were the techs words) in the brain. We were given the standard answer: it's probably nothing, but just to make sure we want you to have a level II ultrasound. So I made an apptment for one (it will be done on the 8th of this month, so not too long to wait) and am spending my time trying not to panic. My heart tells me everything is fine, bout you all know how that doubt can kick in. I am 30years old and this is my first baby (a girl, by the way). My husband seems to be in a bigger panic than me, but I think it is because he feels so helpless. I have read everything I can find and I haven't found any real doc_mentation that has anything but positive outcomes. During the U/S yesterday we were told that her hands were wide open (which they say is a good sign). In fact she was sucking her thumb and grabbing her cord and toes during the scan. We got to see her heart and kidneys and no one mentioned any problems, so I am a__suming there were no other so called "markers". I hope all goes well with this next U/S. I had originally declind having the AFP test becuse after researching it my husband and I found that many times it caused unwarrented worry when nothing was wrong. After having the U/S yesterday the midwife suggested that we have the AFP test. So we had it yesterday and I am waiting for the results. I hope a good test result will be rea__suring, but at the same time a bad test result (which may not mean anything in the long run because of the unreliability of this test) will certainly increase our concern. I guess all we can do is keep hoping and try to be positive since being negative won't help anyone. Keep your heads up! I will be sure to let you know what happens at the level II next week. Thank you so much for this forum. Just seeing how common these cysts seem to be with no adverse outcomes is really rea__suring.

Megan, Im expecting twins..Like many here I was told both boy twins had cpc..I been reading and wanted to know, I had a triple blood test and I was told it was normal and they found no other makers in my highlevel ultrasound other then the cpc. My question is I was told by someone on the computer that they can't tell trismy 18 by blood work if you are carrying twins. Is this true??triciathompson85@hotmail.com

hello out there to all the expecting mommies who have been told that their babies have cpc! I posted seceral months ago about cpcs and a heart spot we found on u/s with my son. to make a long story short, he is here now in my arms with not a thing wrong with him, thank god. He is my little angel. Keep your heads up, ladies! You will get through this tough time, and I wish you luck with your little ones.

After being diagnosed with the CPC's, we had the second scan done and although the Dr. didn't see ant anitomical abnormalities he suggested we have an amnio done because instead of being one cyst on each side it was actually 3 on each side really close together. Well I had the amnio done today. Not the most fun way I have ever spent a morning. It went fine, and when they were doing a scan before the amnio they saw that the cysts on the left side were almost gone. This means they were most likely CPC's and not someting else. So now I hold my breath until the amnio results come back. I just want them to tell me our little girl will be fine and that the results were normal. I will let you know when I hear something. Well back to my Dr. ordered post-amnio do nothing but rest day! You are all in my thoughts.

Just wanted to let everyone know that i had my baby boy on Sept 12th and he is perfectly healthy. So try not to worry i'm sure all the babies will be just fine. Good luck to everyone.

Well....to answer your question about picking up trisomy 18 on twins w/ blood work, yes it is much much less accurate. An ultrasound for various "markers" would be a more accurate way to go. Twins really throws off the blood chemical levels and they have no way of know which twin is producing which chemical. Most docs don't do triple/quad screen multiples. Sorry it took so long to answer.