Fetal Cardiology
16 – 22 Weeks

Fetal echocardiography is a test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to evaluate the baby's heart for problems before birth. Fetal echocardiography is a test that is done while the baby is still in the womb. It is usually done during the second trimester of pregnancy, when the woman is about 16 – 22 weeks pregnant.

Fetal-Cardiology
FAQs

  • The procedure is similar to that of a pregnancy ultrasound. You will lie down for the procedure. The test can be performed on your belly (abdominal ultrasound) or through your vagina (transvaginal ultrasound). In an abdominal ultrasound, the person performing the test places a clear, water-based gel on your belly and then moves a hand-held probe over the area. The probe sends out sound waves, which bounce off the baby's heart and create a picture of the heart on a computer screen. In a transvaginal ultrasound, a much smaller probe is placed into the vagina. A transvaginal ultrasound can be done earlier in the pregnancy and produces a clearer image than an abdominal ultrasound.

  • Between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy in roune cases.

    In special situaons with addional risks (abnormal first trimester scan, parent or sibling with heart defect etc) it can be done between 14 and 16 weeks of pregnancy

  • This test is done to detect a heart problem in the baby even before the baby is born. It can provide a more detailed image of the baby's heart than a regular pregnancy ultrasound.

    • Structures of the baby's heart
    • Blood flow through the heart
    • Heart beating rhythm

  • Usually the report will be ready by the next day. For certain condions which need to be discussed in the team, the reporng may be delayed by 48-72 hours.

  • Abnormal results may be due to:

    • A problem in the way the baby's heart has formed (congenital heart disease)
    • A problem with the way the baby's heart works
    • Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias)

  • No special preparaon is needed for this test

  • There are no known risks to the mother or fetus.

  • Some heart defects cannot be seen before birth, even with fetal echocardiography. These include small holes in the heart or mild valve problems. Somemes it may not be possible to see every part of the blood vessels leading out of the baby's heart. Certain diseases may evolve during pregnancy (eg: heart muscle disease, valve narrowing/leak) and may not be seen at the scanning me.

    Note:

    • The test may need to be repeated at times
    • Certain abnormal findings may be a variant from the roune and not a defect as such, but may need serial assessment in fetal life (and somemes aer birth) to make sure it does not evolve into a disease
    • If the health care provider finds a problem in the structure of the heart, a detailed ultrasound may be done to look for other problems with the developing baby

  • MediScan is an acknowledged centre of excellence in Asia for fetal medicine. We have helped to improve standard of care for pregnancies and have pioneered new assessment metrics and tools to determine the normalcy, safety and viability of the pregnancy. This therefore results in accuracy and reliability of its screening and diagnostic services.