Cyst Found on My Unborn Fetus

I never did find out what causes them, I dont think they really know. My son was found to have one at about 20 weeks. My doc told me it seems with our increasingly hi tech prenatal screenings, we are seeing more and more of these. It may just be normal, and we are just now seeing them now that everyone gets a level 2 ultrasound. He also assured us (and he is a high risk doctor) it was nothing to worry about on its own. BUT some doctors somewhere think that it is ONE of several markers for down syndrome/chromosomal abnormalities. Your doc/ultrasound tech should have looked for other markers like an echogenic bowl, calcifications on the heart etc. And if you did the AFP, your results from that can help further put your mind at ease, or determine if they need to investigate more, like with an amnio. I know how heartbreaking it can be. We found out at christmas time, when we were finding out the sex--and planning on making a big deal about the reveal of his gender. It was such a scary time for us, but also puts lots in perspective. I wish you peace with this.

My son had it too. It is called a coroid plexus cyst. It is a part of natural brain development in many cases. It can be a marker for downs and trisomy 18, but if there are no other markers present, chances are it is normal brain development. I had an amnio because I so so freaked out. He is now 2 1/2 and brilliant. I know it is scary. Chances are your baby is fine. Please feel free to e-mail me.

These things can be very, very scary. Just ask a lot of questions and continue to take good care of yourself.
When I was pregnant with my son, I had major problems and they said it wasn't a viable pregnancy and a whole host of other things.
He's 14 now and the healthiest kid you could ever imagine.
Please, don't stress yourself out too much, it's not good for you or for your baby.
I wish you the very best!

I really think you should call your doctor back and ask any questions you have. Ask about being referred to a specialist, or what you can do from here.

My ex-husband and his new wife had a heart defect come up when they got their sonogram. Their first doctor basically said the baby didn't have a chance. (They now refer to that doctor as Dr.Doom) They changed doctors and started seeing a heart specialist for the baby inutereo. She did need a surgery after she was born - but she's alive and well.

I'm sure you're worried and very upset, the only way I know how to work in that kind of situation is to attack the problem and find out what you can do. Sending you strength.

Hi C., My son had cyst on his head too....they are called chlroid plexus cyst (i bet its the same thing as your baby) and will most likely go away before birth they arent anything to worry about, as long as everything else looked normal!! I know how scary it is to hear something like that! But my son is now 15 months old and healthy as a horse! I would talk to your Dr though, he can ease your mind......Take care

A.

My ultrasound was done at 19 weeks and they said they found two cysts on my sons brain at that time.
The reason they care about this is because it CAN be a sign of down syndrome, but if you're under 35 and there isn't any family history the risks of this are very small, and they would be able to look at your baby in the ultrasound and see if it had other features of DS such as club hands or a thicker neck.
Well my son didn't have either of those, so they said just RELAX and DON'T WORRY, your baby will be fine.
The causes? No one really knows for sure because doctors have just started seeing them clearer now that they have better ultrasound equipment. Many doctors actually think its a normal thing that occurs in some/most babies and they are just now starting to realize it.
Flash forward to now, and my son is a healthy, happy, full of energy and very smart 17 month old with nothing wrong with him. He's perfect! :)
So my advice to you, is as hard as it seems right now, just try to relax and not worry about it. Many babies have them in utero and it isn't a problem. :)
Congratulations, momma!

Hi C.,
My daughter had the same thing while I was pregnant with her. The doctor emphatically told me NOT to worry, but you know how hard that is. Turns out it totally went away and I have a very healthy 5-year-old girl. Don't stress yourself out, ok?

You didn't say how far along you are, but I think this is really common and the cysts absorb.

This happened to us too. It was SO scary! On the second ultrasound, the tech, who has been doing this for some 30 years, told us that it is very normal and usually goes away. Unfortunately, the new techs coming in are taught to tell you EVERYTHING whether it's a real issue or not. If your doctor isn't worried about it, don't fret too much, although that is impossible, I know. My husband and I decided that what will be will be and we will deal with whatever hand we're dealt. The extra tests (for us anyways) were only if we had another option like abortion, adoption, etc., and we didn't. I hope your next ultrasound finds everything perfect (again)!