Congenital heart diseases are the most common type of anomalies among all anomalies. It occurs in roughly 1% of approximately 8 in 1000 births. On the other hand, it is the type of anomaly with the lowest detection rate in standard follow-up and examinations.
The heartbeat of the baby in the womb can be monitored on ultrasound starting from the 6th week of pregnancy. However, the details of the baby's heart structure can be evaluated by vaginal ultrasonography at 13-14 weeks. It is possible to perform abdominal ultrasonography from the 18th week of pregnancy. Our chance of detecting a heart problem in the unborn baby increases as the week of pregnancy progresses. The reason for this is that the development process of the heart is still continuing and as the baby grows, it is possible to evaluate the heart in more detail with ultrasonography. To give an example, in the 16th week of pregnancy, the long dimension of the baby's heart is approximately 1 cm.
Fetal echocardiography (fetal echo) is a color Doppler ultrasound examination that takes about 20-25 minutes and has no harm to the baby. Fetal echocardiography in pregnant women with risk factors following anatomical screening 21-23. It can be done between weeks of pregnancy. In case of earlier evaluations, the patient may need to be seen again within the above time interval. In some special cases, fetal echocardiography examination may need to be repeated in the following weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnant women with a high risk of structural heart anomalies in the baby should be examined by a physician experienced and specialized in fetal echocardiography (Perinatologist or pediatric cardiologist) and an ultrasound with color doopler feature. They need to be evaluated with a device.
With fetal echocardiography, the detection rate of structural defects in the baby's heart increases to 80-90%. These include heart defects that can cause sudden death in the baby and put the baby in distress after birth. With fetal echocardiography, rhythm disorders in the baby's heart and functional disorders of the baby's heart (cardiac dysfunction) can be detected.
Even with fetal echocardiography, some of the structural disorders in the baby's heart may not be detected. These are usually small holes in the heart, small structural defects in the heart valves, and some complex heart diseases. They are omali. In addition, some heart defects may occur only after birth.
In case of detection of fetal heart anomalies, other organ anomalies and chromosomal anomalies (Down syndrome, Trisomy 13 and 18, Turner Syndrome and subchromosomal irregularities, especially Di George syndrome) It should be investigated whether they are together with or not.
Whether a detected fetal heart anomaly is compatible with life and whether it can be corrected after birth should be evaluated together with a pediatric cardiologist and a cardiovascular surgeon experienced in the surgical treatment of congenital heart defects. If there is a situation that requires urgent and early intervention in congenital heart defects that are not accompanied by an isolated chromosomal anomaly, the birth should be performed in a hospital where there is a neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric cardiology and a cardiovascular surgeon who will perform the surgery. If this is not possible, urgent intervention should be made and the patient should be transferred to such a center quickly.
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