White Spot on Baby’s Heart During Pregnancy: What It Means

Being told there’s a white spot on your baby’s heart during an ultrasound can sound alarming. In most cases, however, this finding is common and harmless.

Here’s what it usually means.

What Is the White Spot?

Doctors often call it an Echogenic Intracardiac Focus (EIF).

• It appears as a small bright spot on the baby’s heart during an ultrasound
• Most often seen during the second-trimester anomaly scan (18–22 weeks)
• Caused by a tiny area of calcium in the heart muscle

Importantly, it does not affect heart function.

How Common Is It?

• Seen in 3–5% of pregnancies
• More common in certain populations
• Often disappears later in pregnancy

Most babies with this finding are born healthy.

Does It Mean a Heart Problem?

No.
An EIF is not a heart defect and does not cause heart disease, murmurs, or long-term issues.

Is It Linked to Genetic Conditions?

An EIF is considered a soft marker, not a diagnosis.

• Isolated EIF (no other findings): usually not concerning
• Risk depends on other scan findings and prior screening results

If your NT scan, NIPT, or anomaly scan is otherwise normal, the risk remains low.

Will You Need More Tests?

Often, no.

Your doctor may:

• Review previous screening results
• Suggest follow-up only if other markers are present

In most low-risk pregnancies, no extra testing is required.

Does It Go Away?

Often, yes.

Even if it doesn’t disappear, it has no effect after birth and needs no treatment.

When Should You Pay Closer Attention?

Further evaluation may be considered if:

• Multiple soft markers are present
• Structural abnormalities are seen
• Screening tests show increased risk

Your doctor will guide you based on the full picture.

The Takeaway

A white spot on the baby’s heart is usually a normal variation, not a problem.

It’s common, typically harmless, and rarely affects pregnancy outcomes when found alone.