The effect of the second tri̇mester sonographi̇c soft markers i̇n pregnanci̇es on fetal cytogenetic anomaly

The aim of our study is to evaluate the use choroid plexus cyst, hyperechogenic bowel and cardiac echogenic focus, one of the most common minor sonographic markers, in detecting chromosomal anomaly and also the relationship with negative pregnancy course. For this purpose, pregnant women under low risk in antenatal screening tests and aged less than 35 years were screened retrospectively in our department between 2016 and 2017. 40 choroid plexus cysts, 40 echogenic cardiac focus, 40 hyperechogenic bowel and 40 non-sonographic findings were included in the study. Presence of cromosomal abnormalitiy searched by scanning archive file or taking verbal infromation from the patient. In addition, the relation of minor sonographic findings with negative pregnancy outcome such as preterm labor and low birth weight was evaluated in each study group. Statistical evaluation was performed using SPSS 19.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA) program. Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis was used to compare the groups for numerical variables and p <0.05 was considered significant for all evaluations. In our study, no chromosomal anomaly was detected in any of the fetuses with minor sonographic markers. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of birth weight and gestational week. The ratios of preterm birth in each group were as follows; 15.5% in the control group, 10% in the echogenic cardiac focus group, 12.5% in the choroid plexus cyst group and 22.5% in the hyperechogenic bowel group. The rates of preterm birth were not statistically significant. (P = 0.433) When the groups were compared according to the low birth weight, the ratios wew as fallows; 17,5% in the hyperechogenic bowel group, 0% in the choroid plexus cyst group, 2% in the hyperechogenic cardiac focus group and 10% in the crontol group. A statistically significant correlation was found between low birth weight and hyperechogenic bowel (p = 0.022). Although low number of evaluated pregnancies, it is possible to say that minor sonographic markers were not significant in detecting chromosomal anomaly alone. Also hyperechogenic bowel, one of the most common minor sonographic markers, was found to be associated with low birth weight. Keywords: Echogenic cardiac focus, choroid plexus cyst, hyperechogenic bowel, fetal cytogenetic anomaly