Baby Russell Ultrasound #7

On Friday, January 19th, we had our detailed 19 week ultrasound. This ultrasound showed a small mass in the baby's brain called a Choroid Plexus Cyst. This kind of cyst shows up in 1 in 40 of normal pregnancies in the second trimester, and disappears completely by the third trimester. With no other indicators (genetic testing which we have passed, age of mother, which is not at issue) the cyst is not anything that will cause harm to the baby. Here is a passage from Wikipedia on these Cysts:

Choroid plexus cyst

The brain contains pockets or spaces called ventricles with a spongy layer of cells and blood vessels called the choroid plexus. This is in the middle of the fetal brain. The choroid plexus has an important function of producing a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid produced by the cells of the choroid plexus fills the ventricles and then flows around the brain and the spinal cord to provide a cushion of fluid around these structures.

Choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) occur within this structure and come from fluid trapped within this spongy layer of cells, much like a soap bubble or a blister. CPCs are often called "soft signs" or fetal ultrasound "markers" because some studies have found a weak association between CPCs and fetal chromosome abnormalities.

It is believed that many adults have one or more tiny CPCs. CPCs have no impact on an individual's health or development or learning. The fetal brain may create these cysts as a normal part of development. They are temporary and usually are gone by the 32nd week of pregnancy.

I have already been given and passed the genetic tests that, if associated with the CPC, might indicate a chromosomal problem with the baby. I am scheduled on Monday, January 22nd, for a Level 2 ultrasound with a perinatoligist to confirm that this is a typical CPC.

In the mean time here is a picture of the baby.