Myocardio Dysfunction?

Hi J.,

I'm sorry to hear that your US didn't show something more positive! I'm sure it difficult to stay calm with the information you were given. You can drive yourself crazy trying to find information on the internet when you really don't have all the facts. The stress could also send you into preterm labor.

Downs babies do have heart abnormalities frequently, but there are other things they can look @ in an US that may indicate a baby with Downs. Even that is not 100% accurate.

US are wonderful, but can sometimes cause some unneeded stress! Too bad you couldn't have the 4D US ASAP. Waiting, and the stress of the unknown is sometimes harder then knowing the facts.

Don't feel guilty about not have the Down's test, or the amniocentisis. My kids are older, so we weren't offered the opportunity to have that. I guess my thought on that is; if it does show a positive test, would you terminate the pregnancy? If not then why do it, causing more worry & stress?

The Down's test is not 100% perfect. The amnio has some pretty devistating risks in some cases.

Right now you need stay focused on your husband & 2 kids, they need you, in fact you all need each other.

Think POSITIVE!! Be patient. Take care of yourself B/C that's what will help your unborn son the most right now. You don't have all the facts, so try not to worry & stress yourself out.
I know, easier said then done!

You will know more on the 13th and I hope & pray that it will be positive news.

Good luck to you, your family and your unborn son!

God Bless,

K.

Hi J.! I don't know specifically about myocardial dysfunction, but I do know it sound like a GENERAL term for something affecting the baby's heart. Don't get too upset...I know it's hard....and don't feel guilty for refusing the Downs test. There is nothing you can really do until the baby is born and you see exactly what is going on! Follow the advise of the Pediatric Cardiologist--it's his/her JOB and probably PASSION, and they will know the best course of action!!!! Take care and keep us updated!!!

You probably don't need to worry about down's syndrome as this is most likely not the cause of the symptoms. Unfortunately, the condition is quite serious and I would suggest finding the best doctors possible at the children's hospital to care for you and your baby. Here's what I found out about the possible conditions associated with your described symptoms.

Fetal cardiac calcifications is a rare and very uncommon fetal ultrasound finding, however it is usually associated with significant myocardial dysfunction. One stduy I found through PubMed reported four cases with massive fetal myocardial calcifications detected on prenatal ultrasound at 18-22 weeks' gestation and in all cases was associated with significant cardiac dysfunction. They carried out detailed fetal echocardiographic evaluation, chromosome analysis, and an extensive search for intrauterine infection as a cause of these abnormalities. Two of the patients chose to interrupt their pregnancies, one fetus suffered intrauterine demise, and one child was born alive. In all four cases there was no evidence of down's syndrome, and no specific infection or maternal autoantibody was noted. The living child had findings suggestive of an intrauterine infection, although no infectious entity was identified. Long-term follow-up showed sensorineural hearing loss and severe developmental delay in the child.

Another study described the condition as Idiopathic Arterial Calcification of Infancy (IACI). It is a rare condition characterized by extensive arterial calcification and stenoses (abnormal narrowing of blood vessel) of large and medium-sized arteries. Its complications include severe cardiac failure diagnosed in utero as hydrops fetalis (abnormal accumulation of fluid in 2 or more fetal compartments)or postnatally as respiratory failure combined with cardiomegaly (enlarged heart). Two newborn male siblings with IACI were described in the study. Both had fatal outcomes during the newborn period. At autopsy, calcifications were found throughout the heart, arteries, kidneys and other tissues. This condition has an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern and fetal echocardiography is recommended in future pregnancies of all affected families.

J.,
Yes, this can be a sign on Down Syndrome, but it is NOT a definitive marker. With the 4D scan, the specialist will be able to see all sorts of details which will give a better indication.

I attempted to find information on this condition online, but unfortunately only came up with a lot of message boards with posts from mothers who received similar information as you. The great news is many, many of these women delivered perfectly healthy babies and have not experienced any kind of complications.

I completely agree the risk of the amnio far outweighs the chance of a baby with "abnormalities." I had the first trimester screening, which of course screens for much more than just Down Syndrome, and was thrown into a panic when they told me my results came back as "high risk" for having a baby with DS. I had the 4D scan, about 1 month after I received the results, and was assured I was having a very healthy baby. (By the way, I completely understand how unbearable the wait for the scan is!) I delivered a girl, who is now 13 months old, who is perfect in every sense of the word. The 1st trimester test causes so much unneeded stress for so many women. I decided to pass on the test this time around since I wouldn't change my mind abot having my baby no matter the results anyway.

I hope you receive great scan results, but even if they are not exactly what you expect, just know that we are never given something we won't be able to handle. Many blessings!

Hi J.,
I have not had experience with the medical condition you describe with your baby, but I do want to say that I think you are very wise to avoid invasive tests. The last thing you need is more risk! I just want you to know that I will be praying for you and your little boy and your family. Waiting can be excruciating, but I encourage you to take the best care of yourself that you can, and try to focus on your other children before the new little one arrives. Please don't hesitate to contact me off list with special prayer requests as they arise. My church is Lytle Christian Fellowship, which is just off Main St., in Waynesville, and I will mention your need so more people can be praying for you. (This goes for all you ladies out there, too, who are reading this. We care about Waynesville and all its residents!)
All the best,

L. B.