1. What is Fetal Echocardiography?

Fetal Echocardiography is a specialized ultrasound examination of the unborn baby’s heart performed during pregnancy to detect congenital heart defects (CHDs), assess cardiac function, rhythm, and blood flow.

It allows early diagnosis, risk stratification, and perinatal planning, significantly improving neonatal outcomes when managed at a tertiary care center.

Congenital heart disease affects approximately 8–10 per 1,000 live births, making it the most common congenital anomaly worldwide.

2. Why Fetal Echocardiography Matters

• Detects structural heart defects before birth
• Identifies duct-dependent lesions requiring immediate neonatal care
• Enables planned delivery at appropriate cardiac centers
• Reduces neonatal morbidity and mortality
• Allows parental counselling and informed decision-making

3. When is Fetal Echo Recommended?

Fetal echocardiography is recommended in pregnancies with:

Maternal Indications

• Diabetes mellitus
• Autoimmune disorders (SLE, anti-Ro/La antibodies)
• Assisted reproductive techniques (IVF)
• Family history of congenital heart disease

Fetal Indications

• Abnormal 4-chamber or outflow tract view
• Increased nuchal translucency
• Suspected chromosomal abnormalities
• Arrhythmias, hydrops fetalis
• Monochorionic twin pregnancies
• Growth restriction with abnormal Dopplers

4. Timing of Fetal Echocardiography

• Optimal window: 18–24 weeks
• Early fetal echo: 11–14 weeks (high-risk pregnancies)
• Follow-up scans: As clinically indicated

Early fetal echocardiography can detect major cardiac anomalies as early as the first trimester in expert hands.

5. Who Should Perform Fetal Echocardiography? (Brand Positioning)

Fetal echocardiography should be performed by trained fetal medicine specialists or fetal cardiologists, using high-resolution ultrasound systems, adhering to international imaging protocols.

Our center follows ISUOG-recommended standardized cardiac screening views, ensuring accuracy, reproducibility, and clinical reliability.

6. Key International Literature (For Credibility & Doctor Outreach)

You can list these under “Scientific Foundation” or “Our Practice is Guided By”:

Core Guidelines

ISUOG Practice Guidelines:

• Sonographic screening examination of the fetal heart
• Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013 & updated versions

American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Guidelines:

• Guidelines and standards for performance of fetal echocardiography
• Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography

ACOG Practice Bulletin on Prenatal Diagnosis of CHD

Landmark Studies

• Allan LD et al. Impact of prenatal diagnosis on outcome of congenital heart disease
• Bonnet D et al. Improved outcome of transposition of great arteries with prenatal diagnosis
• Sharland G. Fetal cardiac screening: why, how and who?

7. Marketing-Optimized One-Paragraph Version (For Website / Instagram)

Fetal Echocardiography is a detailed ultrasound examination of the baby’s heart performed during pregnancy to detect congenital heart defects early. With advanced imaging and expert evaluation, fetal echo allows timely diagnosis, parental counselling, and planned delivery at specialized cardiac centers—significantly improving newborn outcomes. Our practice follows international ISUOG and ASE guidelines, ensuring accurate, comprehensive, and compassionate fetal cardiac care.