PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF FETAL CARDIAC ABNORMALITIES IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER.

CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS (CHDs) ARE FOUND IN UP 1% OF ALL PREGNANCIES. THE PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF CHDs PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DISEASE AFTER BIRTH, THIS VAST PATHOLOGY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGH MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY RATES AMONG NEONATES AND INFANTS. THE FIRST TRIMESTER(FT) ANOMALY SCAN AT 11+0 to 13+6 GESTATIONAL WEEKS OFFERS TIME FOR THE FETAL CARDIOLOGIST AND FOR THE PARENTS TO OPT FOR MORE INVESTIGATIONS, SUCH AS GENETIC TESTING AND EXTENSIVE ULTRASOUND EVALUATION BEFORE THE DECIDE THE COURSE OF THE PREGNANCY. EXTENSIVE FT SCANNING PROTOCOLS ARE IMPLEMENTED IN SOME NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ALL OR IN HIGH RISK PREGNANCY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]