Pregnancy test: Fetal echocardiogram (FE) scan

Fetal echocardiogram (FE) scan -- who needs it, what to expect and other common queries on FE during pregnancy answered!

If you are pregnant, you might have already undergone numerous tests right from getting a pregnancy confirmation test to regular consultation with your gynaecologist about the fetal growth. However, getting an ultrasound scan during pregnancy can reveal a lot about the growing fetus. And one such ultrasound scan that your gynaecologist might recommend if she finds any abnormality in the heart health is fetal echocardiogram scan. So if your doctor has recommended one, then do not panic as we have Dr Swati Garekar, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund toexplain what is fetal echocardiogram scan, who needs afetal echocardiogram, fetal echocardiogramwhat to expect and what do the fetal echocardiogram results indicate.

What is fetal echocardiography (FE)?

Foetal Echocardiography (FE) is a test to diagnose heart disease in the foetus (unborn baby) at the earliest possible time. It is the ultrasound scan of the foetal heart performed in the same way as a routine pregnancy ultrasound scan of the mother. The person doing the FE is either a paediatric cardiologist or a radiologist specialising in foetal echocardiography. Here's everything you need to know about ultrasounds during pregnancy.

Who needs a fetal echocardiogram?

Although heart defects are the most common type of birth defects, it is not practically possible to perform an FE for all pregnancies. Instead, it makes sense to perform a simpler test called screening heart views as part of the anomaly ultrasound scan that is performed at 18 weeks gestation by most radiologists. The screening heart views are a relatively simple group of images of the heart that helps determine a heart defect. If suspicion is raised in this test, then a formal FE test can be performed.

What are the reasons for getting a fetal echocardiogram?

Certain conditions put your baby at a higher risk of having a heart disease. You should have an FE test done if one of the following is true in your case:

1. Thickening of the skin at the back of the neck of the foetus (which is technically called as nuchal thickness), then FE is recommended. Nuchal thickness can be detected by an ultrasound scan done at 11-13 weeks of pregnancy.

2. A radiologist suspects that the heart looks abnormal at the 18th-week anomaly scan.

3. Your doctor detects any structural abnormalities in the foetus.

4. You have a family history of congenital heart disease

5. Suffer from diabetes, lupus or rubella and other TORCH infections during pregnancy.

6. Use of certain medications during early pregnancy

7. Conceived through IVF or artificial reproduction procedures

What is the right time to undergo FE test?

The optimal timing for undergoing foetal echocardiography is between 18-22 weeks of pregnancy. A normal foetal echocardiogram will reassure parents that the heart is normal.

Fetal echocardiogram results -- what to expect?

If a major heart disease is detected in this test, would-be parents are counselled about the disease: what to expect at birth, what arrangements will have to be made, what kind of interventions will be required and at what age, what is the long-term prognosis after repair, etc. Education and counselling of the parents about the condition are possible so that they can select a suitable treatment option.

Are there any complications of FE test?

There is no evidence that FE performed at more than 18 wks pregnancy, is harmful to the mother or baby. FE is painless. Early detection of heart defects may be lifesaving for certain babies. It may also help avoid complications like high pressure in the lung vessels which, upon occurrence, can make the child inoperable. All plans for the baby can be in place if it is known beforehand. Also read about what does fetal well-being scan mean.

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