Fetal Echocardiography
Fetal echocardiography; enables the detection of congenital cardiac anomalies present in the heart of the unborn baby. However, it should not be forgotten that these examinations are quite difficult and complex procedures.
Therefore, the specialist who will perform fetal echocardiography examination must be experienced, that is to say, be a perinatology specialist. Fetal echocardiography; is a diagnostic procedure that provides real-time images of the fetal heart.
The examination is done similar to a routine pregnancy control ultrasound and takes approximately 30 minutes depending on the type of problem. On the other hand, imaging is usually performed at 22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, but it can be performed at all weeks of pregnancy.
Some cardiac anomalies, especially, occur in the later weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, this application may need to be repeated in the later weeks of pregnancy if necessary.
Pregnancies and risk factors for which fetal heart examination should be performed especially are:
- If the mother has been diagnosed with a heart anomaly from previous pregnancies,
- If the expectant mother has diabetes or metabolic diseases,
- If the mother or father has congenital heart anomalies,
- In twin pregnancies with identical twins,
- If the mother has abnormal antibodies (some rheumatological diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis),
- If a different organ anomaly is detected in the fetus,
- In prospective mothers with epilepsy disease,
- In expectant mothers who have had an infection in the first weeks of pregnancy,
- In expectant mothers who need to use some medications continuously
It is especially important to perform fetal heart examination for babies whose suspicion of fetal heart disease could not be excluded in the second trimester evaluations.
Fetal echo is one of the most important diagnostic tools for detecting the heart diseases of the unborn baby.
Especially within the scope of this transaction; with ultrasonographic waves and special systems, the heart of the baby is analyzed while in the womb. Some heart anomalies, especially those diagnosed early, can also be treated.
On the other hand, in more advanced cases, urgent measures are taken to initiate treatment after the baby is born and a treatment plan is prepared. For this reason, it is a very important diagnostic tool.