Fetal Echocardiography commences November 2021.

 

This  is a specialized, dedicated test of baby’s heart inside the mother’s womb.

It looks at the 4 chambers and the outflow tracts in detail, as well as the physiology, blood flow and haemodynamics (speed of flow ) as well as the great arteries arisong from the heart in as much detail as possible.  Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of malformation in live births. 

      There are many reasons why we may require this test, including maternal diabetes, lupus (SLE), certain medications, cortisones, codeine, dilantin, diazepam,  family history of (chromosomal/ genetic) abnormalities, drug or alcohol use, many syndromes, or something suggestive seen on a routine baby ultrasound. Sometimes it is due to exposure to certain chemicals or biohazards. Rubella, maternal infection and other diseases are also causes. Also your doctor may hear a murmur, or arrhythmia.

      Although there is no specific preparation for this test, we kindly ask you to avoid strong energy drinks, coke, or coffee prior to the examination, as we find with experience these make the baby too agitated and won’t keep still to obtain good images and doppler readings. On the other hand, sometimes we may need to wait for baby to turn, so we can see certain detail hidden from view.

 

 

It is very interesting, if you wish to read embryology of how the heart is formed, here – “Cardiogenesis”