Echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) is a small bright spot seen in the baby's heart on an ultrasound exam.
This is thought to represent mineralization, or small deposits of calcium, in the muscle of the heart.
Other studies report up to a 1% risk for Down syndrome when an EIF is seen on a second trimester fetal ultrasound exam.
Although some studies have reported that the number or location of echogenic foci affects the risk of fetal aneuploidy (higher risk with biventricular or right ventricular involvement), the general consensus is that these factors have not been proven to matter.
It is important to remember that with an isolated EIF, chances are strongly in favor of a normal pregnancy outcome, but the patient is entitled to further counseling and testing options.