title: Perinatal diagnosis of heart defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart defects are the most frequent congenital malformations, affecting 8 in every 1000 neonates. As 90% of infants born with a congenital heart defects (CHD) have no known risk factor, screening for heart defects in every routine obstetric ultrasound is essential for antenatal diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-dimensional echocardiography allied with three- and four-dimensional technologies such as spatio-temporal image correlation offer means for thoroughly evaluating fetal cardiac anatomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This article reviews the most relevant aspects of antenatal screening and diagnosis of CHD using sonography and echocardiography. It includes first trimester diagnosis and three- and four-dimensional techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These antenatal diagnostic tools play an important role in optimization of obstetric care and neonatal management, thus potentially reducing perinatal mortality.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo Federal University (UNIFESP), Department of Obstetrics, Rua Carlos Weber, 950 apto. 113 Visage, Alto da Lapa, São Paulo, CEP 05303-000, SP, Brazil +55 11 32943220 ; +55 11 32943220 ; araujojred@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Araujo Júnior
authors.forename: Marina Maccagnano
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Zamith
authors.forename: Liliam Cristine
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rolo
authors.forename: Luciano Marcondes Machado
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nardozza
authors.forename: Antonio Fernandes
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Moron