Fetal Echocardiography

By Author: maria leyla
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What is fetal echocardiography?

Fetal echocardiography is an ultrasound test done during pregnancy to evaluate the heart of the unborn baby.

Echocardiography assesses the heart's structures and function. A small probe called a transducer (similar to a microphone) is placed on the mother's abdomen and sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed in certain locations and at certain angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the mother's and baby's skin and other body tissues to the baby's heart tissues, where the waves bounce (or "echo") off of the heart structures. The transducer picks up the reflected waves and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the echoes into an image of the heart walls and valves.

Consult for Fetal Echo in Delhi

When is a fetal echocardiogram necessary?

If a sibling was born with a congenital (present at birth) heart defect

A family history of congenital heart disease, such as parents, aunts or uncles, or grandparents

A ...
... chromosomal or genetic abnormality discovered in the fetus

If a mother has taken certain medications that may cause congenital heart defects, such as antiseizure medications or prescription acne medications

If the mother has abused alcohol or drugs during pregnancy

If a mother has diabetes, lupus, phenylketonuria, or a connective tissue disease

If the mother has had rubella during pregnancy

A routine prenatal ultrasound has discovered possible heart abnormalities

A routine prenatal ultrasound has identified other congenital (present at birth) anomalies, such as kidney, brain or bone abnormalities.