Enlarged ventricle at 28-week scan

[FloralsAreMyFriend]

Wondering if anyone can provide any reassurance here. We had a 28-week scan yesterday (a precaution due to slightly off thyroid levels, which have now resolved). It showed an enlarged ventricle in the brain, at 12.6mm. We have been referred to foetal medicine for another scan on Monday, but understandably I’ve been in my head about it all. This is our first baby, and to add to everything, I lost my mum last week, so am feeling incredibly fragile as it is.

I don't have anything to advise just wanted to say I hope it all ends well, and I'm so sorry about your mum.

You have so much on your plate at the moment, you poor thing. I had the same thing picked up at a routine 32 week growth scan with my 2nd pregnancy, so I completely understand the worry you must be feeling. For me, everything measured normally at the fetal medicine scan where they have better equipment and are more skilled at taking these types of measurements when the baby is harder to scan in the 3rd trimester.

I obviously can't promise that everything will be fine but I wanted to share some things that helped me:

• the threshold for referral is 10mm. As my consultant said, there has to be a cut off somewhere, and your measurement is classed as 'mild' if I remember correctly.

• on its own, an enlarged vertical does not usually indicate anything more sinister where there would be other concerning markers. A lot of people born with an enlarged ventricle have no symptoms and need no treatment. There is a risk that it causes macrocephaly which will need to be managed, but it is perfectly treatable and there is no evidence to suggest that it affects development any more than a baby without this condition.
• it helped me feel less anxious to remember that everything was normal at the 20 week scan, and it was only because I had an unrelated scan that it was even identified. I would have been blissfully unaware otherwise!

I tried my best not to Google when I found out, as people only tend to post the horror stories online. My husband found a good fact sheet published by Great Ormand Street which is very neutral and I found it quite reassuring. https://share.google/sFg0pWODwBNva6Rwz

I won't lie, the wait for the fetal medical scan is awful! They were so lovely and reassuring when I was there though, and I felt really well looked after. They suspect the reason why I measured high in the growth scan was due to the position of the baby who had her head in my pelvis. Measuring babies past 20 weeks is challenging at the best of times, let alone something that is just mm long. I really hope everything works out positively for you, and this will all be a distant memory soon.

I was sent for a growth scan at around 32 weeks, where an enlarged ventricle (11.5mm I think) was found. I then went for a scan with foetal medicine who confirmed the enlarged ventricle and they also mentioned a short femur. I had a blood test and an amnio was discussed which I turned down and I went for an MRI at around 35 weeks. The MRI then showed that both ventricles were normal and under 10mm. I now have a healthy, happy 6 month old baby boy.

Please try not to worry, in my case all was fine and the ventricle reduced in size.

Thanks both, I really appreciate you sharing your experiences! It’s provided some reassurance 🙏 fingers crossed this ends up being a red herring and the scan tomorrow shows everything normal, or things resolve in the coming weeks if not.

There are some helpful Facebook groups for ventriculomegaly. It’s really worrying I know, but the outcomes on the Facebook groups are good. I was offered a blood test and amniocentesis. These didn’t show anything amiss. The ventricles later went down to normal measurements. Look after yourself and try not to worry (easier said than done I know).

@FloralsAreMyFriendI hope everything went ok for you yesterday and you were well looked after, I've been thinking of you.

Hi OP, you will have had your scan by now so I hope it’s all ok. Just wanted to say that I had the same with my now 16yo DD, the measurement was slightly smaller at 10mm and I had to wait 2 weeks for a repeat scan.

Those 2 weeks were torturous although I remember someone on here recommending ARC who were so kind and helpful.

My second scan was fine and I remember the sonographer saying that it can be so hard to get an accurate measurement depending on the baby’s position.

I hope all is well, I do remember how anxious I was while waiting for the second scan.

My DS had an enlarged ventricle at his 20 week scan, was rescanned a few weeks later and it was ok, no issues detected.
He’s now 24, got a MA & BA in English Lit and is getting married in a few months.
Good luck with your pregnancy, sending you positive vibes and thoughts!

They detected enlarged ventricles during one of my scans. Had to go for an MRI to confirm. Went back a few weeks later for another scan and they had gone back down to normal size. They checked again at birth and all still OK.

It is worrying at the time. I was upset. Hang on in there and I am keeping everything crossed that it will turn out OK for you and baby.

I had my anatomy scan at 21 weeks and I was told y son had an enlarged ventricle. I had a very worrying 3 weeks whilst I was referred and seen by two different consultants. I had further scans and one consultant didn’t comment on the enlarged ventricle but said that he had a small chin. I was like wth does that mean. She wasn’t very nice and suggest it could be downs. I said my results came back saying I had a 1 in 12,000 chance of downs and her reply was “someone has to be that one”. She asked if I wanted information about abortion. I mean I was so angry so I asked for a second opinion. I went back the next day, saw someone else and he dismissed all concerns and said baby is healthy. Offered me an mri scan but he said baby had a rounded chin and his ventricles were within range. I wouldn’t have had an abortion anyways so we declined the mri. I also paid for another anatomy scan and 4d scan at a private clinic and she also confirmed baby appeared normal.
moral of my story is…. Don’t worry yet. Ask for a second and third opinion. Good luck.