title: Fetal Situs, Isomerism, Heterotaxy Syndrome: Diagnostic Evaluation and Implication for Postnatal Management.
abstract: A hallmark of vertebrate anatomy is asymmetry of structures, especially internal organs, on the left and right side of the body. Heterotaxy syndrome is the combination of correct-sided, and incorrect-sided organs. The establishment of the left-right axis is an early event in vertebrate embryogenesis. Failure to establish this axis has numerous consequences for later development and can result in a wide range of potential defects. Congenital heart disease is among the more frequent and serious problems. Heterotaxy syndrome is diagnosed prenatally with increasing frequency due to improved screening practices. The key to proper management of fetal heterotaxy syndrome is reliable determination of left and right in the fetus, a thorough understanding of associated defects and comprehensive imaging.
authors.affiliation: The Fetal Heart Program at the Cardiac Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. degenhardt@email.chop.edu.|Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. degenhardt@email.chop.edu.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Degenhardt
authors.affiliation: The Fetal Heart Program at the Cardiac Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.|Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rychik
keywords: Congenital heart disease; Heterotaxy syndrome; Pediatrics; Vertebrate embryogenesis