IMFH | Maternal-Fetal Services | Diagnostic Testing | Fetal Echocardiogram
A fetal echocardiogram is a very detailed evaluation of your baby’s heart by a specialist in fetal echocardiography who is trained to use ultrasound to study the structure of your baby’s heart.
Sometimes routine ultrasounds detect abnormal fetal heart rhythms, fetal heart abnormalities or abnormalities of another major organ system. If one of these abnormalities or other risk factors is detected, your physician may recommend a fetal echocardiogram. Pregnant women who are at increased risk of giving birth to a baby with congenital heart disease should have a detailed fetal echocardiogram performed by a physician who is specially trained in fetal cardiac evaluation.
The detection of a heart defect increases the risk of finding other malformations in the child. A detailed ultrasound of the rest of the fetus is necessary. Also, amniocentesis to test the chromosomes may be recommended.
Echocardiograms present no known risks to the mother or the fetus.
