Fetal echocardiography and the incidence of congenital heart diseases in newborns: An original research

Abstract

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to assess the role of fetal echocardiography in detecting congenital heart diseases (CHDs) prenatally and its impact on the incidence of CHDs among newborns.
Methods: A total of 200 pregnant women undergoing fetal echocardiography for suspected CHDs were included. Demographic data were collected, and prenatal and postnatal outcomes were analyzed. Diagnostic accuracy of fetal echocardiography was assessed by comparing prenatal findings with postnatal echocardiograms or autopsy reports.
Results: Fetal echocardiography identified 50 cases of CHDs prenatally, with ventricular septal defects (VSDs) and atrial septal defects (ASDs) being the most common anomalies. The incidence rate of CHDs among newborns was 40 per 1000 live births. Postnatally, the majority of infants underwent surgical intervention shortly after birth.
Conclusion: Fetal echocardiography plays a crucial role in prenatal detection of CHDs, enabling early interventions and optimizing outcomes for affected infants. Continued efforts to enhance prenatal screening protocols and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to improve the diagnosis and management of CHDs.