Did Progesterone Contribute to Baby’s Brain Cyst?
Question
Hi, I was wondering about your knowledge on choroid plexus cysts. There were three found on my baby’s brain at my 19 week sonogram. I am curious as to what this means and what steps would come next in my pre-natal care. In the beginning of my pregnancy I was also told that I had low progesterone levels. My doctor gave me 30 days worth of prometrium(100mg) to take. What impact would that have on my pregnancy? What could all of this mean?
TC
Answer
Last Updated: January 31, 2022
Dear TC,
Choroid plexus cysts form around the ventricles of the brains in some developing babies. Almost always, they resolve by themselves. They have become a topic of concern because they are one of the “soft markers” for chromosomal defects, specifically trisomy 18. Soft markers are findings that are weakly associated with birth defects.
When only choroids plexus cysts are present, the chance of there being trisomy 18 is very low. You only need to be concerned if other abnormalities are seen on ultrasound. I would not recommend amniocentesis because of the small, but real, risk of miscarriage with that procedure. You just need follow up ultrasound exams along with your normal prenatal care.
It was good that your doctor put you on progesterone early in pregnancy; that may have prevented a miscarriage. I don’t think that the progesterone had anything to do with the choroids plexus cysts; most of the time we don’t know what causes them.
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
Choroid plexus cysts form around the ventricles of the brains in some developing babies. Almost always, they resolve by themselves. They have become a topic of concern because they are one of the “soft markers” for chromosomal defects, specifically trisomy 18. Soft markers are findings that are weakly associated with birth defects.
When only choroids plexus cysts are present, the chance of there being trisomy 18 is very low. You only need to be concerned if other abnormalities are seen on ultrasound. I would not recommend amniocentesis because of the small, but real, risk of miscarriage with that procedure. You just need follow up ultrasound exams along with your normal prenatal care.
It was good that your doctor put you on progesterone early in pregnancy; that may have prevented a miscarriage. I don’t think that the progesterone had anything to do with the choroids plexus cysts; most of the time we don’t know what causes them.
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
Answered By:
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
George Delgado, MD, President and Founder of Steno Institute and Medical Director of Culture of Life Family Services (COLFS), San Diego, is a Professional Member / Supporter of CANFP. Board certified in both family medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, Dr. Delgado received his medical degree from the University of California, Davis, and completed his residency at Santa Monica Hospital/UCLA. Dr. Delgado is a Natural Family Planning Medical Consultant, trained in NaProTechnology. He and wife have four children and seven grandchildren.
