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Fetus Head Measuring Small Fluid Around Heart

03/23/2011

Question:

My wife just had an ultra sound at 22 weeks and they noticed that the babys head is measuring 2 weeks behind, there is fluid around the heart, she has a thick placenta, and the amniotic fluid is low. They did an amnio and we will be getting the results in a couple weeks. All ultra sounds before looked normal. Do these symptoms point to any certain diseases/disorders? Thank you

Answer:

There could be many different reasons for there to be fluid around the heart, low amniotic fluid and the baby’s head measuring small. It is impossible to say without more information. Sometimes babies that have a chromosome abnormality might have these kinds of findings, which is probably one of the reasons your doctor recommended you have an amnio.

If you have not already done so, I would highly recommend that you talk to a geneticist or genetic counselor. They have the expertise to provide you with information based on your specific situation. You can locate a genetics center near you at the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ Resource website below.

I wish you all the very best.

Related Resources:

Find a Genetic Counselor – National Society of Genetic Counselors

For more information:

Go to the Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects health topic.