Brain Ventricles in Ultrasound

[hollyandterrence]

Hi,

I am 25 weeks pregnant.  At my 21 week ultrasound, the baby's brain ventricles measured 9mm so another ultrasound was done yesterday and the findings were the same.  The radiologist said the midline appeared normal and everything else seemed fine, except that the ventricles are larger than she would have liked.  She said we shouldn't worry, but I can't help it.  Do you think she gave us good advice or should we consult a specialist?  Also, they haven't said anything about amnio and I was told that my regular 16 week bloodwork looked great.

Thank you.

[Brenda_L]

My son, Blaze and his wife Marianne came home from the doctor's office yesturday stating that their baby may have downs syndrome because of the baby having a round head and an enlarged ventricle in the brain.  I asked if the little finger was okay, and if they spotted a hole in the heart or the neck was too short.  They said the ultrasound showed no hole in the heart, and nothing wrong with the little finger, or neck.  One of the legs had developed slower than the other but had caught up to the same length of the other as well.  I said that maybe the ventricle will begin to develop better, and the head shape change.  She is close to 6 months pregnant now.  The doctor wanted to take an amniocentisis, but that may risk the life of the baby.  The doctor felt there was some kind of syndrome this baby has, and I am not sure it just isn't related to development stages like the little leg catching up.  Are their syndromes that consist of just these two symptoms?  Marianne has lupus, and my son did 3 tours in Iraq.  He blames what he was exposed to on the problems with the baby, and I am not sure they should even be that concerned.  What do YOU think?  Please answer soon, and thank you sooooo very much.

Brenda Lottinger
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[JainMD]

Hi Holly,
Is that your name, Lovely name you have.
How long has been your pregnancy so far?
It’s nice to hear that the ventricles are regressing in size, but before your delivery you should be doing a repeat ultrasound to check on size.
Keep a record of this as you must get an ultrasound cranium of your little one after he is born.
Keep me informed.
I would be interested to know the progression.
Bye.

[hollyandterrence]

Thanks for your response.  We had another follow up ultrasound last week, and now both ventricles have reduced to 7mm.  We are so grateful.  There doesn't appear to be a problem anymore!!!

[Caliber2005]

Hi Holly,
How are you feeling now? How is the progress in your pregnancy?
What the radiologist meant was that there is ventriculomegaly on USG. Ventriculomegaly can be due obstruction to CSF flow or large production of CSF. Obstruction to CSF flow can be due to many reasons including structural abnormality.
A review ultra-sound is necessary for evaluation. If persistently the ventricles are enlarged, then it might be cause for concern. A confirmatory MRI is necessary.
Meet your gynecologists and discuss with her.
Hope this helps.
Bye.