Fetal Echo

Similar to a standard obstetrician (OB) ultrasound, a fetal echocardiogram (or "echo") is a specialist ultrasound examination that focuses just on the heart of the developing child, often known as a fetus. A fetal echocardiogram (echo) employs sound waves to examine the growing baby's heart.

The fetal heart's chambers, valves, and blood arteries will all be captured on camera by the cardiologist. The Doppler "color-flow" ultrasonography method is used to monitor blood flow in the heart and blood arteries.

A fetal echo is advised when an anomaly is discovered by usual OB monitoring, ultrasound, or another risk factor. In the following situations, fetal echocardiograms are taken into consideration:

• Regular OB ultrasound suggests heart abnormalities
• History of a close family member having a cardiac birth abnormality
• A pregnant woman who has diabetes
• Fetal regions with birth abnormalities
• A genetic defect in the fetus that is known or suspected
• Exposure to contaminants or certain medicines during pregnancy
• Pregnancy-related illnesses like rubella (German measles)
• Issues related to twin pregnancies
• During a routine OB appointment, an abnormal fetal heart rate was seen.

How is Fetal Echo Performed?

A pediatric cardiologist or a maternal-fetal specialist (also known as a perinatologist), who is particularly trained, can do a fetal echocardiography. The check could be carried out using an abdominal or transvaginal ultrasound.

1. Abdomen-focused ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasonography produces the picture by gliding the ultrasound transducer over the abdominal gel after adding gel to the abdomen.

2. Transvaginal Ultrasound

In a transvaginal ultrasound, a tiny ultrasound transducer is introduced into the vagina and placed against the rear of the vagina to create a picture. During early pregnancy, transvaginal ultrasounds are more often utilized because they give crisper images than abdominal ultrasounds.

During the examination, the transducer probe will be moved about to capture images of various fetal cardiac features and locations. The following methods are frequently utilized to get precise fetal cardiac information:

• 2-D (2-dimensional) Echocardiography:
  This approach is utilized to view the heart's real anatomy and movements. A cone-shaped 2-D echo image of the heart's architecture may be seen moving in real-time on the display. This enables the experts to observe and examine the various cardiac systems in action.
  
  
• Doppler Echocardiography:
  This Doppler technique is used to measure and examine blood flow via the heart's chambers and valves. The volume of blood the heart pumps out with each beat is a sign of how well it is working. Doppler may also pick up on abnormal blood flow within the heart, which may point to problems such as an imbalance between the heart chambers, an issue with one or more of the heart's four valves, an issue with the heart's walls, or an issue with one or more of the valves.
  
  
• Color Doppler:
  Doppler echocardiography with color is an upgraded variant. The color Doppler uses various colors to indicate the direction of blood flow. As a result, the Doppler picture interpretation is made simpler.

Why is Fetal Echo Conducted?

Fetal echo can identify cardiac issues before to delivery. Early diagnosis of a cardiac disease increases the likelihood that treatment will be effective. Because of:

• In rare circumstances, medical professionals might be able to address the problem before delivery.
• Healthcare institutions should be prepared for issues that can come up during labor and delivery.
• Early delivery arrangements are possible.
• After the infant is born, treatment could be administered. It could involve a procedure or a drug.

*Fetal echo carries no dangers for either the mother or the fetus.