Td. Shipp et al., The frequency of the detection of fetal echogenic intracardiac foci with respect to maternal race, ULTRASOUN O, 15(6), 2000, pp. 460-462
Objective To determine if there is a racial difference in the frequency of
identification of echogenic intracardiac loci (EIF) seen sonographically in
the hearts of second-trimester fetuses.
Methods Over a 2-month period (June 1998-August 1998), all fetuses scanned
between 15 and 20 completed weeks' gestation were evaluated prospectively f
or the presence or absence of EIF. Pregnancies specifically referred for th
e presence of EIF were excluded. The sonographer performing the scan indica
ted maternal race as Asian, black, white, or (if maternal race was not clea
r) unknown. Maternal race, gestational age, and the presence or absence of
EIF were prospectively documented. Follow-up of those fetuses with EIF was
obtained from the referring physicians' offices. The groups were compared w
ith respect to maternal race and presence or absence of EIF.
Results There Ih,ere 46, 34, 400, and nine fetuses of the Asian, black, whi
te, and unknown mothers, respectively The mean gestational age +/- 1 SD at
examination was 18.2 +/- 1.6, 17.5 +/- 1.4, 17.7 +/- 1.5, and 17.8 +/- 1.1
weeks, for the Asian, black, white, and unknown mothers, respectively The i
ncidence of sonographically detected EIF was 30.4, 5.9, 10.5 and 11.1% for
the Asian, black, white. and unknown mothers, respectively, P = 0.001. In a
multivariate logistic regression model, Asian mothers had an odds ratio of
3.8 (95% CI, 1.8, 7.60 for having a fetus identified as having EIF, as com
pared with white mothers.
Conclusions The Asian patient is more likely than patients of other races t
o have a fetus with identified EIF. The counseling implications for Asian m
others undergoing midtrimester sonography when EIF is identified should be
tempered, due to the increased frequency of EIF as a normal finding in the
Asian population.