[Assessment of fetal circulation in the late first trimester--preliminary study].
OBJECTIVE
to confirm that fetal echocardiography is indeed possible in late first trimester and that it improves the standard of the so-called "genetic" ultrasound scan.


METHODS
Early echocardiography was performed in 75 fetuses from high and low risk pregnancies. All fetuses underwent echocardiography examination in 18-22 weeks of gestation and established follow up.


RESULTS
The most suitable method of visualization seems to be transabdominal examination, between 13.0-13.6 weeks of gestation, an transvaginal one, between 12.0-12.6 weeks of gestation, with 90% effectiveness. In researched group of 75 fetuses (with established follow up) there were four heart defects (5.3%). Three of them were diagnosed before 14th week of gestation. One case (tetralogy of Fallot) was overlooked. There were two false positive diagnosis verified at 20th week of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Early echocardiography, especially between 12.0-13.6 weeks of gestation, is a possible and valuable method of diagnosis. Reference evaluation should be performed between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation. In cases with suspected anomalies karyotyping is recommended. Congenital heart disease diagnosed at late first trimester should be treated as the next potential marker of genetic disorder.
Kaczmarek
Piotr
P
Klinika Perinatologii i Ginekologii Instytutu Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki 93-338 Lódi. piotka@onet.pl
Respondek-Liberska
Maria
M
Borowski
Dariusz
D
Wielgoś
Mirosław
M
Czuba
Bartosz
B
Oszukowski
Przemysław
P
D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal