A fetal echocardiogram is a specialised ultrasound examination of the fetal heart and is usually undertaken at about 18-20 weeks gestation. In some cases assessment can be performed as early as 13-14 weeks though it is recommended that a follow-up scan is performed at 18-22 weeks to confirm findings.
There are several reasons why you may be referred for a fetal echocardiogram.
These include:
| Family history of congenital heart disease Increased nuchal translucency (this is a measurement of the thickness of skin at the back of the neck and this forms part of the OSCAR test) Suspicion of a heart defect on routine 20 week anomaly scan Heart rhythm abnormality Exposure to medication taken by the mother including treatment for epilepsy Maternal diseases including diabetes mellitus, phenylketonuria, systemic lupus Non-cardiac abnormalities of the fetus |
For further information please visit the Bristol Fetal Diagnosis Centre