What should you do if there are water bubbles in the baby's BRAIN in the womb?
Pregnancy is a time filled with joy, anticipation, and naturally, some anxiety. With advancements in medical technology, ultrasound scans during pregnancy are now highly detailed, allowing doctors to identify even the smallest variations in fetal development. One such finding that sometimes worries expecting parents is the presence of “water bubbles” or cysts in the baby’s brain, detected during a routine scan.
According to Dr. R.H. Srinivas Prasad, this finding is far more common than many people realize. These water bubbles are often what medical professionals refer to as choroid plexus cysts—fluid-filled sacs that appear in the choroid plexus, a part of the brain responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid. They are usually discovered during the anomaly scan, typically performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Understanding Cysts or Water Bubbles in the Fetal Brain
During the anomaly scan, the ultrasound technician examines the baby’s anatomy in detail, checking vital organs, brain structures, limbs, and other developmental markers. Sometimes, small cysts are found in the brain area. These cysts are simply pockets of fluid and are not necessarily harmful.
In most cases, these water bubbles are temporary and harmless. They are generally not linked to any functional problem in the baby’s brain. In fact, most choroid plexus cysts resolve on their own by the 25th week of pregnancy without requiring any treatment.
When Can Cysts Be a Concern?
While these cysts are often harmless, Dr. R.H. Srinivas Prasad points out that they can sometimes be associated with certain chromosomal abnormalities, particularly Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) and Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome).
However, the presence of a cyst alone is not enough to indicate a chromosomal problem. Doctors look for additional abnormalities in the fetus—such as growth restrictions, structural anomalies, or other unusual ultrasound findings—before considering the possibility of genetic conditions.
If the only finding on the scan is a cyst, with no other abnormalities present, there is generally no need for alarm. In such cases, the fetus is most likely developing normally, and the cyst will disappear with time.
Why Do These Cysts Form?
The exact reason for the development of choroid plexus cysts isn’t always clear. They can occur during normal fetal brain development and are often considered a variation of normal anatomy. In most cases, they have no long-term effect on the baby’s health or brain function.
It’s important to remember that these cysts are a finding on an image, not necessarily a disease or disorder. Many perfectly healthy babies have had cysts detected in the womb and went on to be completely fine after birth.
How Are They Detected?
Cysts in the fetal brain are typically detected during the mid-pregnancy anomaly scan, which is performed using high-resolution ultrasound equipment. The sonographer may notice a round, dark area within the brain that represents the cyst.
In some cases, doctors may recommend a follow-up scan a few weeks later to confirm whether the cyst has resolved. This helps provide reassurance to both parents and healthcare providers.
What Should Parents Do if This Finding Appears in the Report?
Hearing that something unusual has been found in your baby’s brain can be very stressful for any parent. But as Dr. R.H. Srinivas Prasad emphasizes, if the ultrasound report mentions only cysts and no other abnormalities, there is no reason to panic.
Here’s what you can do:
Stay calm and discuss the findings in detail with your gynecologist or fetal medicine specialist.
Ask questions about whether other abnormalities were seen during the scan.
Follow up with any recommended additional scans for reassurance.
Remember that in most cases, these cysts disappear naturally by around 25 weeks.
Will It Affect the Baby’s Health After Birth?
For the vast majority of cases where the cyst is the only finding, the baby will be perfectly healthy after birth. The cyst usually resolves before delivery and does not leave any trace or cause any developmental issues. Even in rare cases where a cyst remains, it generally has no effect on brain function.
Discovering that your baby has water bubbles or cysts in the brain during pregnancy can be alarming, but in most cases, it is not a cause for concern. As Dr. R.H. Srinivas Prasad explains, these cysts often resolve naturally, especially when no other abnormalities are present. Staying informed, following your doctor’s advice, and attending all recommended scans will help ensure the best outcome for both mother and baby.
While modern ultrasounds can detect even the smallest details, not every finding is a sign of a problem. Most babies with these cysts develop normally and are born healthy. If your doctor reassures you that there’s nothing else to worry about, trust the process and focus on enjoying your pregnancy journey.
Founder of Nisarga Diagnostics, is a renowned fetal ultrasound specialist with over 20 years of expertise. An alumnus of Government Medical Colleges in Mysore and Bangalore, he also holds a D.N.B. from the National Board of Examinations, Delhi, and certification from the Fetal Medicine Foundation, London. A former Professor and HOD, he has trained countless PG students and junior radiologists, shaping the future of fetal imaging in India.