title: Introduction to fetal echocardiography.
abstract: Fetal echocardiography is used to diagnose or exclude cardiac disease before birth. Fetuses known to be at risk for cardiac anomalies may be methodically screened; other fetuses present with abnormalities as pregnancy progresses and are studied as they are discovered. Abnormalities of anatomy as well as function may be detected. Anatomic abnormalities are often associated with additional noncardiac or chromosomal defects. Fetal cardiac disease may progress as gestation advances. Signs of deterioration include cardiac dilatation, increasing valvular insufficiency, and hydrops. Detection of fetal cardiac abnormalities allows the management team to better prepare for possible complications of labor and delivery and, in some cases, allows for treatment before birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences Center, Tucson.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods