[Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease and its consequences].
Echocardiography allows the prenatal diagnosis of most congenital cardiac malformations. Although the indications for this specialized ultrasound technique are multiple, suspicion of congenital heart disease at the second trimester ultrasonographic screening has become the most frequent indication. Specially trained pediatric cardiologists can confirm the diagnosis or rule it out. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then a fetal karyotype should be proposed in most cases and thorough examination of extracardiac organs, should be performed. If the prognosis is poor, French law authorizes termination of pregnancy. If the pregnancy goes on, a multidisciplinary team should organize the perinatal care according to expected neonatal difficulties.
Le Bidois
Jérôme
J
Institut de puériculture de Paris, 75014 Paris. jerome.lebidois@nck.aphp.fr
D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal