The frequency of the detection of fetal echogenic intracardiac foci with respect to maternal race

Abstract

Objective: To determine if there is a racial difference in the frequency of identification of echogenic intracardiac foci (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 for the presence or absence of EIF. Pregnancies specifically referred for the presence of EIF were excluded. The sonographer performing the scan indicated maternal race as Asian, black, white, or (if maternal race was not clear) 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 with respect to maternal race and presence or absence of EIF. Results: There were 46, 34, 400, and nine fetuses of the Asian, black, white, 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 incidence 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, 7.6) for having a fetus identified as having EIF, as compared with white mothers. Conclusions: The Asian patient is more likely than patients of other races to have a fetus with identified EIF. The counseling implications for Asian mothers 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.