Why Is Fetal Echocardiography Important During Pregnancy?

When a routine prenatal ultrasound raises concerns about the baby’s heart, or when certain risk factors are present during pregnancy, doctors may recommend a fetal echocardiography. This specialised cardiac ultrasound provides detailed visualisation of the developing heart, helping identify potential abnormalities that require attention.

For many expecting parents, understanding what fetal echocardiography involves and why it’s important can ease anxiety and better prepare them for prenatal care decisions. Continue reading to understand what a fetal echocardiography test is and why it matters.

What is Fetal Echocardiography?

Fetal echocardiography is a specialised ultrasound exam that evaluates the structure and function of a developing baby’s heart while it’s still in the womb. Normal ultrasound generally provides a limited view of the baby’s heart, but the fetal echocardiography test gives a detailed evaluation.
Performed during the second trimester, when the mother is around 18-24 weeks pregnant, it uses high-frequency sound waves to make real-time moving images of the fetal heart, allowing doctors to assess the heart’s chambers, valves, blood vessels, and rhythm.

Why is Fetal Echocardiography Important?

Fetal echocardiography is important as it enables doctors to plan appropriate medical care and interventions before or immediately after birth, which can improve the outcomes of the treatment.

Some other prominent reasons why pregnant women should take a fetal echocardiography are when:

• The mother has already given birth to a child born with a heart defect.
• There is a family history of genetic heart problems.
• The mother has taken medicines for epilepsy or acne, as they can damage the baby’s developing heart.
• There has been a consumption of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy.
• The mother has other medical conditions like diabetes, rubella, lupus (when the body’s immune system attacks one’s own organs and tissues), or phenylketonuria, a condition that causes brain damage.
• Amniocentesis, a routine prenatal test, reveals a chromosomal disorder.
• A routine ultrasound has revealed an abnormal heart rate in the unborn baby.

How is the Fetal Echocardiography Test Performed?

Fetal echo for pregnancy is a non-invasive procedure that is similar to the standard prenatal ultrasound, but there is a specialised focus on the baby’s heart. The test is performed in the second trimester, when the fetal heart structures are well developed and can be visualised clearly. The procedure can be done in two ways:

1. Abdominal Echocardiography

• The mother lies on an examination table with her abdomen exposed.
• A water-based gel is applied to the abdomen to help transmit sound waves and remove friction.
• A specialised ultrasound transducer is gently moved across the abdomen to obtain images from different angles.
• High-frequency sound waves penetrate the abdomen and uterus and bounce off the fetal heart to create detailed images, also called an echocardiogram.

2. Transvaginal Echocardiography

• A slender ultrasound transducer is inserted into the vagina.
• By positioning the transducer closer to the uterus and fetal heart, this method provides clearer images.

The prenatal echocardiogram then captures various cross-sectional images of the baby’s heart. These can provide information about blood flow through the heart, heart rhythm, and the baby’s heart structures.

What to Expect in Test Results?

After the fetal echocardiography is completed, a paediatric cardiologist analyses the images to assess the baby’s heart structure and function. The results help determine whether the fetal heart is developing normally or if any abnormalities require attention.

Normal results will show a healthy baby’s heart with normal heart rate, rhythm, and size.

Abnormal results may indicate:

• Congenital heart defects or structural abnormalities.
• A problem with the way the heart works.
• Irregular, elevated, or too slow heart rhythms.

When these issues are found, a fetal MRI or other high-level ultrasound is needed for accurate diagnosis. It should also be noted that not all heart defects can become visible through the echo pregnancy test, which may require a repetition of the test or other more detailed diagnostic tests.

Fetal echocardiography is an important diagnostic tool that provides critical insights into a baby’s heart health before birth. Early detection of congenital heart defects through this safe, non-invasive procedure helps prepare comprehensive care plans and specialised delivery arrangements that can lead to the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby.

If there is a risk of heart disease in the unborn child, expecting mothers should immediately consult a doctor and book a fetal echocardiography test through the Dr Lal PathLabs app for accurate diagnosis and timely medical intervention for the baby.

FAQs

1. What does a foetal echo mean?
   Foetal echo means a specialised ultrasound test that is used to examine the structure and function of a baby’s heart while still in the womb.
2. How much does a fetal echocardiography test cost?
   The fetal echocardiography test’s price usually varies, depending on the city, hospital, and equipment used.