Role of routine fetal echocardiography in an unselected group of pregnant women for prenatal detection of cardiac malformations.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We investigated the potential for improvement in prenatal detection of congenital heart disease (CHD) by routinely performing detailed fetal echocardiography (FE) in all pregnant women.

Methods

Following routine obstetric sonography, 1445 unselected pregnant women were prospectively subjected to FE at gestational ages between 16 and 24 weeks, or at first visit, if they presented later. Maternal or fetal factors, conventionally known to be associated with risk of CHD, were noted. The prevalence and detection rates of cardiac abnormalities were determined, and confirmation of findings by postnatal follow-up was done to ensure accuracy of FE. Prevalence of CHD was compared in pregnancies with or without conventional risk factors.

Results

The overall prevalence

SUBMITTER: Bhambhani A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7670276 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep - Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature