Soft Markers on Anomaly Scan

So, today we had our 19 week anomaly scan. We had decided on the advice of our GP and the fact I didn't want to be scared out of my wits by a long-shot 'what-if' for downs syndrome not to have the nuchal scan, though did have a dating scan at 12 weeks that looked fine.

DH over the moon to discover that our surprise bub was sporting a very obvious little symbol of manhood.
Thought it was odd the scan was going so long, then the radiologist left to check on a few things and we had to wait for him.

So, he was reassuring in his own way I suppose, but he told us that we will notice in his reports that he discovered 2 soft markers for downs syndrome etc, a single choloid cyst, and a above average kidney fluid amount. He said, these are weak connections but still - who isn't going to start worrying when they hear this. I didn't even know about these markers, to be honest, if I had I would have asked not to be told about them, for the same reason that I didn't want the Nuchal Scan - what is the point of this worry, it is what it is (and telling myself not to worry is rather pointless).

Thing is, I did all the googling you're not supposed to do, and from the ultrasound cd I can see the Kidney fluid measurement he's written is 3.6 and yet from what I've read the risk factor is for over 4mm, so I'm now wondering if he's given me something to worry about he shouldn't have even told me was a risk factor.

I guess I am wondering how many ladies out there have had soft marker/s, what sort of increase to your risk factors did this mean? Did you freak out? How did it turn out? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

We had a soft marker on my scan with my first ds. We were given the option of going to another hospital for a second opinion. we did that - had another scan and it showed nothing. Our son doesn't have Down's. It was very worrying to start with though!

I had a soft marker for downs with my baby (due 25th sept) having a "slightly" enlarged left ventricle. This was discovered at my 20wk scan, I then got referred for another scan which showed everything to be fine...I refused any more scans after that, I'm going to love my baby no matter what she's like...and not all ultrasounds are 100% accurate! I can understand your worry & stress though *hugs*

I'm struggling to remember through the blur and haze of sleep deprivation and work commitments.... but DS had a soft marker for 'something more serious'. I think it was Downs. At 20 weeks an u/s revealed that our DS had unilateral talipes (originally diagnosed as bilateral, both feet) or the common name is clubfoot. Apparently it can be linked with more serious conditions, such as cerebal palsy and downs (from memory.. )

The tertiary scan revealed nothing more except a very cute looking foot in 3D. I don't like the word deformity or disability, especially when used as a label for my child. I see it more as a challenge designed to be conquered. Other than his inability to walk, he's a normal kid. Feisty, but normal. I remember that feeling of sitting in the social workers office and being told about all the scary things we and our baby would have to endure. Surgery, bracing..... physio.... I was afraid. I still am sometimes when I look into the near future and his approaching surgery.

Most of my fear surrounds my own ability to cope with the challenges. Self-doubt will be your biggest enemy. Luckily, it sounds like you have very little. You know what you do and don't want to know. Your theory was so far proven correct... that extra information means extra worry. Trust yourself and everything will be ok. Now, I'm going to re-read this and see if I can take my own advice. :)

edit: When I say he can't walk I mean until he has corrective surgery. This is not a life sentence! Didn't want to freak you out.

DD2 had a soft marker for Downs. Specifically, an echogenesis in her heart. I'd had a nuchal scan but not the blood test. I was offered but declined further testing. This was one of the few times google was reassuring.

DD2 was born without any problems. She does have something on her palm which can indicate Downs (though DH and I have never been able to see it). It caused a lot of interest in hospital - the paed registrar called in the consultant who then called in the head paed to examine her - but it turns out that this marker on her hand occurs in 15% of the population. I guess they wanted to be as certain as possible because I didn't have diagnostic testing.

DD1 had bilateral choroid plexus cysts which are a soft marker for trisomy 13 from memory. My risk claculated on NT and bloods and the soft maker was still only 1:3000 so we did not have any further investigations. Without the soft makers it was 1: 33000 so it did have an impact on the numbers but it was still a very low risk. Im a nurse and checked my scan results without speaking to anyone :shakehead: When I caught up with my midwife the calculated risks were back and it helped me relax a lot!

The cyst resolved as they normally do. I think about 98% of or something ridiculous of CPC's are benign abberations and the other 2% were found in people with T13, but something like 50% of babies with T13 had bilateral choroid plexus cysts around the 20 week mark, if that makes sense (these aren't the actual figures but it was something like that).

We had soft markers for downs with DD too, the kidney fluid, they checked again at 20weeks and it was gone, turns out she needed to pee ;)

Take it easy and try not to worry.