Case Report

Isolated Fetal Hepatic Calcification: A Case Report

  • Ayse Gül Özyapi
  • Bülent Kars
  • Ayse Yasemin Karageyim Karsidag
  • Esra Esim Büyükbayrak
  • Orhan Ünal
  • Mehmet Cem Turan

Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2010;7(2):50-54

Objective: To present the management of a case with fetal hepatic calcification diagnosed at 22. weeks of gestation with the review of the literature.  Case: The patient was first seen at antenatal clinic at 16th week of gestation with the triple test in normal range. The ultrasonography performed at 22 weeks of gestation revealed hepatic paranchymal calcification in the fetus. Toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus, parvovirus IgM, IgG and VDRL tests were ordered. Rubella and CMV IgG tests were positive and the others were negative. There was no additional abnormality in the detailed sonography so the genetic analysis was not suggested. The routine antenatal follow-up was uneventful and the patient was delivered a healthy 3900 g female baby via caserean route due to cephalopelvic discrepancy. After birth physical examination and laboratory tests of neonate were normal. There was hepatic calcification but no other pathology in ultrasonographic examination. Six months after birth, the baby’s physical examination was normal and hepatic calcification was seen to persist in abdominal ultrasonography. Hepatic calcification in this patient was decided to be a benign finding. Conclusion: When a fetal hepatic calcification is diagnosed, detailed ultrasonography should be performed to investigate other organ pathologies. Intrauterine infections should be investigated. If there is an associated ultrasonographic finding, genetic karyotyping should be offered. The prognosis is generally good but dependent to the underlying cause. In most of the cases with isolated liver calcification normal prenatal follow-up is sufficient.

Keywords: hepatic calcification, prenatal diagnosis.