Fetal echocardiography - Overview

Definition of Fetal echocardiography:

Fetal echocardiography is a test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to evaluate the baby' s heart for problems before birth.

How the test is performed:

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 18 – 24 weeks pregnant.

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 smaller probe is inserted into the vagina. A transvaginal ultrasound can be done earlier in the pregnancy and produces a clearer image than an abdominal ultrasound.

How to prepare for the test:

No special preparation is needed for this test.

How the test will feel:

The conducting gel may feel slightly cold and wet. You will not feel the ultrasound waves.

Why the test is performed:

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

The test can show:

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

The test may be done if:

A sibling or other family member had a heart defect or heart disease
A routine pregnancy ultrasound detected an abnormal heart rhythm or heart problem in the unborn baby
The mother has type 1 diabetes, lupus, or phenylketonuria
The mother has rubella during pregnancy
The mother abused drugs or alcohol during pregnancy
The mother has been exposed to drugs that can damage the baby' s developing heart (such as some epilepsy drugs and prescription acne medications)
An amniocentesis revealed a chromosome disorder

Reviewed last on: 2/15/2011
Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Jone PN, Schowengerdt KO Jr. Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;56(3):709-15

Maeno Y, Hirose A, Kanbe T, Hori D. Fetal arrhythmia: prenatal diagnosis and perinatal management. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2009 Aug;35(4):623-9.

Sekar P, Hornberger LK. The role of fetal echocardiography in fetal intervention: a symbiotic relationship. Clin Perinatol. 2009 Jun;36(2):301-27, ix.

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