Why Expecting Moms Need to Know the Reasons to Have a Fetal Echocardiogram?

Verified By Dr. Pratima Dash | 05-Sep-2024

Pregnancy is such a magical experience and journey, full of hope and possibilities. But it also brings the responsibility of providing the best care for mother and baby. Fetal echocardiogram is one of the several tests that includes in the list recommended during pregnancy. But this test is for what? What Does It Say about the Well-being of Your Baby? This write-up by Dr. Pratima Dash, Consultant Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at Kailash Hospital, Noida addresses the why of a fetal echocardiogram and its importance, CVAHD as well how to proceeds for this test.

Table of Content

• What is a Fetal Echocardiogram?
• Why is a Fetal Echocardiogram Important?
• When is a Fetal Echocardiogram Recommended?
• What Happens During a Fetal Echocardiogram?
• Interpreting the Results
• The Importance of Early Detection
• Final Thoughts

What is a Fetal Echocardiogram?

Fetal echocardiograms are a special ULTRASOUND! of the baby's HEART This thorough scan enables the doctors to assess both ventricular anatomy and functional characteristics. Similar to a general ultrasound, which delivers rough timings at the fetal organ, anatomical echocardiogram targets most explicitly in and around hearts with its galleries of chambers, valves & vessels.

Why is a Fetal Echocardiogram Important?

1. Early Detection of Heart Defects

   The main purpose of the fetal echocardiogram is to diagnose possible congenital heart defects during pregnancy. Dr. Pratima Dash points out "Among the congenital abnormalities in newborns heart defects are one of the commonest and comprises 3/4th of neonatal cirulatory anomalies." Early diagnosis with fetal echocardiogram helps the parents and families to understand that although their baby will be born with a heart defect, we can plan for it now in anticipation of care before birth.

2. Monitoring High-Risk Pregnancies

   Fetal echocardiograms are typically included in the monitoring of high-risk pregnancies. Heart defects can also be associated with diabetes and autoimmune disorders or may run in a family (either parent) if the blue baby error is due to a heart abnormality. Dr. Dash explains, "In high-risk pregnancies, a fetal echocardiogram can provide critical information that may affect patient management that can guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes.

3. Assessing the Impact of Maternal Health on the Fetus

   Having a maternal health condition like lupus, high body weight or blood pressure can affect how the baby's heart develops. A fetal echocardiogram evaluates whether these effects are impinging on the developing heart, and warrants intervention if such interventions will be beneficial.

When is a Fetal Echocardiogram Recommended?

1. Family History of Heart Defects

   However, knowing that there was a history of congenital heart disease in the family these doctors would recommend follow up with a fetal echocardiogram. Dr. Dash explains, “The most common piece information we use to decide is one’s family history of any heart problem in our opinion because that puts things half-way━ more than 50% makes a test worthwhile. The same goes for the parents who can be relieved and will give us time to prepare if treatment is necessary.

2. Abnormal Ultrasound Findings

   If your baby's heart appears to be abnormal in any way or there are risk factors for a possible cardiac condition, you will have to undergo detailed fetal echocardiography. This test gives a more detailed image, which helps confirm whether you have heart defect or not.

3. Maternal Infections During Pregnancy

   During pregnancy, some infections (such as rubella or cytomegalovirus) can have an impact on the formation of a baby's heart. Many women are now being referred for a fetal echocardiogram to check the impact on the heart and what is required next.

4. IVF Pregnancies

   Babies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) have a slightly eleva­ted risk of being born with conge­nital heart defects, accord­ing to new research. Dr. Dash adds, "Fetal echocardiogram is still a rare but due to the IVF pregnancies it may be R recommended all IVF pregnancy fetal echo.

What Happens During a Fetal Echocardiogram?

It is performed through a female abdomen with the use of ultrasound like any other regular ultrasound. It is done most often between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. The actual test takes from 30 minutes until one hour to complete depending on the position of the baby and how complicated it was in performingeur hat is being done.

The ultrasound images of the baby's heart are displayed on a monitor as the probe is placed on your abdomen during this procedure. Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist analyzes these images to look for the heart structure and function.

Interpreting the Results

The results of a fetal echocardiogram are usually available immediately after the procedure. Dr. Dash says, " if echo is otherwise normal with demonstration of baby having a good heart development then may be nothing might need to follow up for such echo if it’s done really.” If irregularities are found, your healthcare provider will inform you and discuss the results as well as what happens next with their parents.

The test can help diagnose a number of different types of heart defects, including:

• Atrial septal defects (ASD): Holes in the wall between the upper chambers of the heart.
• Ventricular septal defects (VSD): This refers to holes in the wall between the heart's two lower chambers.
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): A persistent opening between the aorta and the pulmonary artery.
• Coarctation of the aorta: Stenosis of the aorta (the main artery which carries blood from the heart to various parts of your body).
• Tetralogy of Fallot: A complex heart defect involving four separate abnormalities.

The Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of heart defects through fetal echocardiograms is crucial for several reasons:

• Treatment planning: Early detection of heart disease makes it easier for health care providers to plan the best course of treatment which may involve surgery, medication or monitoring.
• Parental preparation: If you find out about your baby's heart condition before birth, prepared to learn and get support for a well-informed future.
• Improved outcomes: The earlier children with a congenital heart defect are identified, the better quality of life and long-term survival is likely to be.

Final Thoughts

A fetal echocardiogram is a powerful diagnostic test that can check the health of your baby's heart during pregnancy. When potential heart problems are discovered in this type of early screening test for your baby, you can be prepared down the line which will influence so much in terms of your babies future and how to go about taking care of him as a whole. If you worry about your baby's heart, talk with your gynaecologist about a fetal echocardiogram.

Kailash Hospital, largest and best Heart Centre in Noida has latest technological support for Fetal Echocardiography. We offer the services of an experienced team of maternal fetal medicine specialists, Dr. Pratima Dash and Neha Gupta who are committed to providing comprehensive.