My baby has an ovarian cyst on scan

Fetal ovarian cyst

Introduction

This leaflet is aimed at pregnant women who have a suspected fetal ovarian cyst on ultrasound examination. The leaflet should only be given with a consultation with an obstetrician and/ or fetal medicine specialist.

What is an ovarian cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a fluid filled sac within the ovary. Small ovarian cysts are common in women after puberty but they can also occur in an unborn female baby. This is less common but can occur in up to 1 in 2500 pregnancies with a female fetus.

How is it diagnosed?

It can be difficult to be sure of the diagnosis of an ovarian cyst in a baby before they are born.

We will offer you a specialist ultrasound scan in the Fetal Medicine Department to check the baby in detail and to rule out other possible problems. If there is a fluid filled cyst arising from your baby’s pelvis (and your baby is a girl) it is likely to be an ovarian cyst but it can be sometimes difficult to rule out other less common problems.

We will confirm the diagnosis after your baby is born and has another scan.

Why has it happened?

Fetal ovarian cysts are thought to be caused by the mother’s pregnancy hormones stimulating her baby’s ovaries to form a cyst. It has not been caused by anything you have done during your pregnancy and you could not have prevented it.

Rarely, ovarian cysts can occur because of an underlying genetic problem in the baby or an abnormal growth in the ovary. Your fetal medicine doctor will discuss this with you if they believe it may be a possibility.

What does it mean for my baby?

Most ovarian cysts do not cause problems for the baby. If the baby looks otherwise normal on the ultrasound scan then she will need some more scans during the pregnancy and monitoring after delivery. Most of these cysts will disappear without treatment during the first four weeks after birth.

Some larger ovarian cysts do not go away and may be offered a discussion with a paediatric surgical doctor towards the end of your pregnancy.

Rarely, ovarian cysts can cause problems during your pregnancy. If the cyst becomes large (bigger than 6cm), there is a risk of twisting (torsion) or rupture. A large cyst may compress the baby’s bowel and cause excessive amniotic fluid to build up round the baby. You will be offered additional ultrasound scans for the rest of your pregnancy to check for these possible problems.

Ovarian cysts can sometimes be associated with other problems in the baby’s anatomy. The most common problems are related to the kidneys and bowel. Your fetal medicine doctor will assess the baby’s anatomy in detail during your ultrasound scan to check for these problems.

An ovarian cyst in the baby should not change how you plan to deliver the baby, occasionally it may be best for her to be delivered in a hospital with a paediatric surgical team such as the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

How is it treated?

It is rare for a fetal ovarian cyst to need treatment. Most will go away after delivery without treatment. A small number will need surgery to remove the cyst if there is a suspicion or confirmation of torsion.

What happens next?

Your doctor will discuss your case with and refer you to the Fetal Medicine Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary for a specialist scan and discussion. The RVI Fetal Medicine Unit provides highly specialist care to women from the North East and Cumbria with complicated pregnancies. The doctors in the Fetal Medicine Unit will assess the baby in detail and organise a monitoring a management plan specific to your baby.

For further information

For further information please contact:

Fetal Medicine Department,
Royal Victoria Infirmary
(0191) 2825837
Monday –Friday 9-5pm

Be sure to ask questions to the doctor supplying you with this leaflet and make a note of any questions you would like to ask at your next Fetal Medicine Unit appointment.

Antenatal Results and Choices
0845 077 2290 or 0207 713 7486 via mobile

North of Tyne Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
0800 0320202
Monday to Friday 9.00-4.30pm (answer phone out of hours)
Email: [email protected]