A member asked:

My maternal fetal doctor found calcium on my baby's heart valve in utero. he said it doesn't mean anything... how can it not mean anything?

10 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Nicholas Nomicos answered

Specializes in General Practice

Too early: Without more detail, it sounds like an ultrasound showed what appeared to be calcification on a fetal heart valve. The likelihood is that it will resolve by the time of birth. Ultrasound relies on density and echo character which can sometimes be misleading. Unless there are other problems, watchful waiting is the recommendation. A little extra TLC for your baby sounds like a good thing.

Answered 4/4/2016

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It doesn't!: What your doctor probably saw is a a bright spot, an "echogenic focus" in the baby's heart. We think these are probably calcium deposits. They do not seem to have any effect on heart function. They are one of a large number of minor abnormalities that can signal an increased risk of Down syndrome in a baby, but usually only if there is more than one abnormality.

Answered 7/8/2015

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Dr. Carol Major answered

Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Echogenic focus : A calcium deposit seen on a fetal heart valve is called an intracardiac echogenic focus. It is a small calcification that is on the tendons that open and close the heart valves. It is present in 3-5% of all fetuses. It can be an associated soft marker for chromosome abnormalities. If there are no other birth defects and your prenatal screening tests are normal, then you should not worry.

Answered 12/17/2014

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