Cysts Found on Babies Brain During 18 Week Ultrasound

Two of my sons had cysts at this stage of my pregnancy, they disappeared, I was really worried at the time, but later I found out is really common and I shouldn't have worried as much as I did. I wouldn't worry about it.

Hi J. - Yes, actually, they found the same thing in my now extremely healthy and happy 2 1/2 year old. The brain often reabsords those little weirdnesses. Try not to stress out about it, be a healthy pregnant mommy, and you should be fine.

I had the same "problem" except they only saw one cyst. It freaked me out & I totally stressed out about it even though the dr told me that it is common & will most likely go away by the next ultrasound...... .and, it did. Whew! My little boy is now 3 months old & absolutely wonderful!! Best of luck to you!

This is VERY common!! My daughter had this during my 16 week ultrasound and she is now a healthy, active, and perfect 7 month old!! During my 16 week ultrasound the doctors found two 'soft markers' for a chromosomal abnormality, one of which were 2 cysts on the brain. The doctors scared us into doing an amnio because there were two markers (the other was a large head diameter to short femur bone ratio) and the risk of there being some chromosomal problem was high. We worried ourselves sick for 10 days while we waited for the amnio results, only to find out that everything was fine. With the increased use of ultrasound doctors are able to see so much more than they used to. Now they are starting to see all of the normal imperfections or variations in development that they only saw in the past when there was a serious problem.

In my next pregnancy I am considering opting out of all of these ultrasounds because we went through so much stress and anxiety and we wouldn't have done anything different even if there was a problem. Please remember that ultrasounds are a very imperfect science and the realm of what we understand about prenatal development is in it's infancy.

Hello I am aso going through the same thing u are! i am 19 weeks pegnant and i also was told that my unborn son has 2 cysts on his brain i also have no clue as to what has caused this! I am not a smoker nor a drinker and i do not use any drugs of any kind and im so scared! Its hard not to just break down and cry and ask myself as i pray to god... why? I just dont understand and i wont know anything untill i follow up w a specialist for a special ultrsound! I am tring not to worrie but it is hard and i am so so worried!
B. M winder ga

My daughter-in-law also did and it totally freaked her out, however, since she's a military wife, she never saw a specialist. We did lots of research and calmed ourselves down with what we read. Baby was born 3 wks. ago and everythinig is fine!!

How scary and stressful that must be for you! I didn't experience the exact thing, but my son did have fluid in his kidneys (I can't remember the name of the condition) at his first ultrasound at 17 weeks. They told me that more often than not it gets better on its own before birth, but if not we would have to wait until he was born to do anything. I had another ultrasound at 30 weeks and they said one of his kidneys was completely normal and the other one was a lot better. Since he's been born, we haven't noticed any problems from it. I hope the same holds true for your little one!

Wow, what a great response. I am 28 weeks pregnant and the doctor told me the same thing last week. They waited 8 weeks to tell us! Yesterday we had another ultrasound and we asked the technician. He said that in 30 years of doing ultrasounds, he's never seen this particular kind of cyst (plexis as mentioned in another response) not go away. It always is gone! He also mentioned that (as in another response) they are teaching technicians to disclose every little thing.

Bottom line - don't worry. You'll get to see your little one again before it's born. Enjoy the viewing!

I am a mother of 2 beautiful boys ages 9 and 7. When I was pregnant with my first son the ultra sound showed the very same thing. I was told also by my OB/GYN that is was normal and they would disappear between then and my 24th week. Here's the good news...They did, and its very very common. My son was born healthy and is thriving at age 9.
Hope that helps.

J.,

ugghh! Yes. This happened to me. They told me that my first child had cysts on each side of her brain (bi-something) and I found this out just after my mom passed away. It was a horrible shock and very scarry. i did a ton of research and was watched the entire pregnancy. I had a beautiful, healthy little girl. She is now 4 years old and we've never heard about those cysts again. I read that this happens more with girls and that they go away on their own. All nice information, but hard to take in when it is your child!

It is a heart wrenching time, but if you would like to talk more about it please feel free to email me. My second child was a boy and I had his ultrasound a little later and they didn't find anything in his. whew!

good luck and please email if you need further support!

M.

Hi J....

My daughter experienced this same situation. We were all quite worried and upset about it. HOWEVER, the cysts dissolved on their own during the pregnancy and my now 22 month old granddaughter is perfect and precious! Try not to worry. Think positive!!! :o) Best Wishes.

I haven't experienced this but my friend did. Her daughter had cysts on her brain and they went completely away and she is now a month old and totally healthy and beautiful.

Hi J.,
My brother (I'm 12 years older) had them. They do usually go away, but his didn't. I want you to know that even if they don't go away, things can turn out fine. He just turned 16 last month and is doing great. There are no disabilities. He had to have surgery (2) as an infant to have a shunt put in. He had his head shaved with stitches when he came home so he looked a little sad but as soon as his hair grew back, everything was normal. He played and laughed and was quick to learn, just as every other healthy baby. Since then, he's had to go in for MRI's every so often. There are minor limitations. He's very involved in highschool sports so he has to get checked by his doctor and authorized prior to the season and he can't hang or swing upside down for long periods of time. He drives, he does well in school and has a busy social life. He is only affected by any of this when he's got to take a day off school for an MRI which is only every 5 years now. Chances are your baby's will go away, I just wanted you to know that there is no need to worry too much if they don't. Just enjoy your pregnancy and your baby once he's here. Eventually it will simply be the past. Good luck and congratulations on the new one!

my son also had some cysts showing up like yours at our 19 week sonogram. They said this is actually quite common and it should obsolve as time goes on. We had another sonogram a month later (23/24 weeks) and they were gone, with just a small remainder behind. My son was born 2 months early- at 32 weeks and was healthy as can be-- perfect in every way. So, don't worry- get the sonogram done and just monitor it. They said even "IF" it didn't go away- the chances of him having any complications because of it was so minor. Hope this helps-- try not to worry!

I'm a mother of three beutiful, healthy kids and I was told the same thing with my 2nd child. I was around 19 weeks when the Technician told me that my baby had these cysts in her brain. Of course, I was shocked and worried because I wasn't told about this with my first born when I had his ultrasound. Don't worry!!!! It does go away. My daughter is now 31/2 and she's a very healthy, smart kid. I guess what happens is that some Dr's disclose every detail in the ultrasound apt. and some don't. They know that this is something that will go away as the baby grows. My O.B. reassured my husband and I that we had nothing to worry about. Now with my 3rd child, I was never told about the cysts, but now I knew that this was part of the developmental process as the baby grew. Best wishes to you and your family.

Hi J.,

This happened when I was pregnant with my daughter and the cyst did go away as they figured it would. Like others have said, the follow-up with the specialist is just a precaution. Apparently in a VERY SMALL number of cases, there can be a correlation of cysts with certain birth defects. He/she will repeat the ultrasound and look closely at your history to see if there's any reason for concern, but everything is probably just fine.

My specialist explained that during NORMAL brain development, these cysts can form as tissue is stretching out and growing.

Good luck!

This happened to a friend of mine and the cysts dissapeared. They told me our son looked like he had ecogenic bowl syndrome and sent us to get another ultrasound. We stressed out for two weeks then the follow up showed nothing. They said is could have been the tech, or the machine (some show bones darker than others). I know it is difficult to not be concerned but remember that in today's age the doctor's must take every action possible to prepare you for any uncertanties. In my opinion it adds unnecesary stress to alot of parents to be. So remember the chances are SO slim, I think they gave us 1/2% that our sone could have downs and he was born healthy.
Kepp your chin up

Don't worry. This exact thing happened to me. When I went back for my next ultrasound appointment, they found nothing. They even brought in the original technician who found the cysts to make sure they did not see anything the second one was missing. The dr. said this is very common and usually resolves itself. My baby girl is now 3 months and is absolutely perfect!

Hi J.,

I had the same results during my 18wk ultrasound. I was very worried about it, but my Dr informed me that it was very normal and almost always resolved themselves by birth. She said that I could go see a specialist if it made me feel better, but she reassured me that everything would be fine. She also told me that they (Dr's) are obligated to tell patients this even though she knows that nothing usually comes out of it. So, needless to say I did not go to the specialist because I knew that things would work out. My philosophy is that whatever happens is meant to happen. Well...my daughter was born on Dec 31 and she was FINE! :) We did take her to Children's Hospital at 10wks to have an ultrasound done to make sure it was gone. Her pediatrician wanted to make sure that it had resolved itself and to give us peace of mind. Luckily, it had and my daughter is as bright and beautiful as any baby! No need to worry. This is a very common thing. Back when we were kids, our parents didn't have ultrasounds and never knew of things like this. Sometimes not knowing is bliss. My advice to you is not to stress about it while you're pregnant. The stress could be more harmful than the actual cyst. Best of luck to you and CONGRATS on your pregnancy!

At my 20 week ultra sound the ultra sound tech found two cysts on my sons brain. He said they were called choroid plexus cysts and mean nothing. He said they almost always go away by the 24-26 week of pregnancy. When my doctor called me to give me the results of the ultrasound a couple days later he said everthing looked great. I asked him about the cysts and he said the radiologist that reviewed the ultrasound said nothing about that to him. He said they obviously weren't significant enough to mention and not to worry about it. I did do internet research and found out that a very very small percentage of doctors think it might be a marker for a chromosomal disorder, but really have nothing to back that up. I also read that ultrasounds are just so detailed now that they find things like choroid plexes cysts that could have been there on pregnancies years ago, but no one knew. Also, if you would have waited a few weeks to get your ultrasound they might have already went away and you would have never known about them. So anyway, I worried for a little bit. I had my doctor order another ultrasound around my 27th week and the cysts were gone. After that I stopped worrying and came the conclusion I had a healthy pregnancy. And I did. Maddox is a healthy 9 months now.

Hi J.,
We had the same exact thing happened to us. Of course you never want to hear anything is wrong but this is something that is vey common at around that time and just like the person before me says almost always goes away. Enjoy you pregnancy and try not to stress about it. Remember that your baby feel all your worries and this will resolve it self. I have a very happy and full of energy 2 year old to prove it. The way I look at things now is that now days with all the new technology and very high tech ultrasounds we know way too much and somethings that we should not even have to worry about. I took it very hard and was thinling the worst until I researched it on the internet and founf out how common it is and best of all that it goes away in a few weeks. Best of luck in your pregnancy.
Alexandra

Hi J.,
I see that you have had many response, but just to be more reassuring... my daughter had these and they were gone before her specialist ultrasound :) We got to see more of our beautiful baby girl though so that was fun. She is turning two one week from today and beyond healthy.
Try not to stress and enjoy the extra ultrasound.

My daughter also had these little cysts on her brain (at my 14 week ultrasound). My doctor said they would go away before she was born. Sure enough, we did another ultrasound late in my third trimester and they did dissapear. She will be three next month and perfectly healthy! Blessings to you!

Hi J.,
Yes, I did have this happen. They refered to my daughter's as a plexis cyst. When my doctor told me, he said it can lead to an abnormality in the 17th (if I remember correctly) chromosome. It really stressed me out and I tried to deal with it for month, feeling like my baby is going to brought into this world with multiple difficulties. It was very hard to handle. I finally broke down and called a counselor at the hospital. She explained it much better than my doctor had. She said that it comes up on the sonogram but then disappears, unexplained. She also told me that most babies who have this are just fine and it is really nothing to worry about. She said the doctor only even said anything at all because by law he had to. My baby was born just fine and has been as strong as an ox. Have faith that your baby will be fine and, yes, if you are still worried get a sonogram later down the road to see if it is gone. I know, from experience, that you will not be completely set at ease until he/she is born but send your positive vibes to your baby and make him/her feel your strength and grow from that. Good Luck,
M.

This happened to a good friend of mine and completely freaked her out. They sent her to a genetic specialist and it turns out the cysts were normal. I felt so bad for my friend because she had done a lot of research and was very scared. The genetic Dr. offered to do an amnio buy she refused. THey may give you that option as well. Good luck. Try not to freak out and God bless!

I know how stresful this must be for you!! My sister in law had this with her daughter (who is now 10) and she was perfectly healthy! The cysts did disappear. I've heard of this a lot. They need to send you to a specialist as a precaution.

I had a similar scar with my first daughter. They said she had an echogenic bowel which could have been associated with genetic anomalies. She was/is fine, but I understand that this is the most stressful thing that can happen during a pregnancy! Try to take it easy and not let the stress get to you. Easier said than done!

J.,

I had an "abnormal" ultrasound early on in my pregnancy - a different situation though but my son is very healthy. Just know that with all the technology they can see much more than they used to and cause concern when it's totally normal.

Hang in there.

M.

Hi J. :)

YES! They showed up for my son as well. It scared the heck out of me! I was stressed and did not feel peace until the next ultrasound was due. I had a little comfort due to the fact that I had taken every test my doctor offered to make sure the baby didn't have neural tube defects and such... the ones (state tests, I think)you have to pay for yourself. Those results came back excellent, so having them in hand was more helpful to the doctors in my case. However, even had I not had the lab work drawn for those tests, the docs told me that those cysts usually always go away. Perhaps you, like myself, just happened to have your ultrasound at that point in the baby's development. That's it. I don't think there's going to be any problem with your child either :)

So try as best as you can NOT to worry. If you do, you are giving power to exactly what you do not want to happen. Instead, do your best to visualize positive things and talk to the baby instead. When you're worried, rest your hands on your belly and close your eyes. Practice some slow, deep relaxation breathing and send love through your hands into your belly. It will calm both of you. :) Please let me know how things are after your next ultrasound! :) I'm looking forward to hearing the good news! Oh- and if you need a number for an awesome specialist to see, I still have the info to the doctor I saw. He was fantastic!! My doctors told me he was the top guy in OC- the head guy at one of the big hospitals (maybe Children's?)for something... sorry for the loss of memory :\ Out with my son went the second part of my brain! :)

Blessings and love,
Jennifer

I have two sisters and one good friend who have experienced this same thing. All of their children are perfectly healthy and normal. The cysts DID go away before the pregnancy ended.

Good luck with you and don't worry yourself sick over it.

My husband and I just dealt with this issue. Our daughter had a bilateral cyst on her brain. The doctor scheduled another ultrasound for four weeks later and we went in last week and the cyst was gone. It was quite a relief. I'm sure the same thing will happen to your kid.

My now 4 1/2 year old had choroid plexus cysts on her brain too when I was pregnant. It was very scary when they gave us the info about it, but like many others on this board, the cysts went away by the next ultrasound. She developed completely normally, and now is a healthy and bright 4 year old. It's hard to be patient and not think of the worst case scenario during the waiting period before the next test, but it's likely that they will go away and the baby will be just fine! Hang in there!

Yes, I had this happen to me 16 years ago. I was so worried about it, but when I had the second ultrasound(a week later) the cyst was gone. I went on to have a beautiful baby girl who is now a wonderful young woman. Please try not to worry too much.
I'll keep you in my thoughts. :)

Take care.