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EARLY PRENATAL DETECTION OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES USING FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY: OUR FINDINGS WITH REVIEW OF LITERATURE.
- Source :
- International Journal of Pure Medical Research; Jan2024, Vol. 9 Issue 1, p1-6, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Introduction: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are among the most common form of birth defects. The fetal cardiac screening by ultrasound can detect a high proportion of cases of CHD. Detection of cardiac anomalies can be challenging and is typically done by fetal cardiac ultrasound performed between 18 and 22 weeks. A transvaginal scan can detect anomalies even at 12-13 weeks. Early and precise detection of CHD can direct appropriate management. Objectives: To detect the incidence of congenital heart diseases at a tertiary care centre and to detect cardiac anomalies early, accurately, and help avail all the benefits of early prenatal diagnosis. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, where 5,000 patients were screened over a period of 10 months who came for routine second trimester (16 to 24 weeks) obstetric evaluation. The fetal heart was evaluated and sequential segmental analysis was done using ultrasonography. Detailed biometric and structural evaluations of all fetuses were undertaken. In high-risk cases (17%), or in cases with positive cardiac findings, the extended fetal echocardiographic examination was performed at 16-20 weeks(850 cases). Follow-up scans were done at 24 weeks and post-natal periods to confirm the diagnosis. Out of 5,000 screened cases, 25 fetuses had CHD. The most common indication for extended fetal echo was maternal (59.2%) followed by fetal (40.2%). In maternal indications, the most common was advanced maternal gestational age (>35 years), followed by bad obstetric history and gestational diabetes. In fetal indications, the most common was abnormal obstetric Doppler findings favouring IUGR. Results: Of 5,000 cases examined by us, at 16 - 24 weeks using Color Doppler, and a high-end ultrasound machine, we could diagnose VSD in 3 cases, ASD in 2 cases, TOF in 2 cases, Transposition of great vessels in 2 cases, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 2 cases, Ebstein's anomaly in 1 case and severe fetal hydrops with bradycardia in 1 case. On follow-up scan at 24 weeks, 2 additional VSD cases, 2 additional ASD cases, 2 new cases of TOF, and 1 new case of TGA were diagnosed. However, the number of cases of other pathologies remained the same. On post-natal scan additional cases of VSD, TOF and TGA diagnosed were 2, 1, and 2. Conclusion: An apparently normal appearance at any stage of pregnancy does not exclude a major heart defect, and it seems likely that some defects may be amenable to diagnosis only after birth. Hence follow-up scans with minute observation and technical expertise are need of the hour. Most of the CHDs in our region are missed, primarily because of poor socioeconomic status, lack of availability and awareness of diagnostic echocardiography. Spreading awareness and skill of fetal echocardiography is need of the hour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- PRENATAL diagnosis
TRANSPOSITION of great vessels
PULMONARY stenosis
RESEARCH methodology
CROSS-sectional method
HYPOPLASTIC left heart syndrome
TETRALOGY of Fallot
RIGHT heart ventricle
CONGENITAL heart disease
TERTIARY care
DISEASE incidence
GESTATIONAL age
FETAL growth retardation
AORTIC stenosis
PERSISTENT truncus arteriosus
DOPPLER echocardiography
ATRIAL septal defects
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
EBSTEIN'S anomaly
AORTIC coarctation
SECOND trimester of pregnancy
GESTATIONAL diabetes
EARLY diagnosis
LONGITUDINAL method
FETAL ultrasonic imaging
VENTRICULAR septal defects
FETUS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 26180766
- Volume :
- 9
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Pure Medical Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175691661