
The presence of a problem with baby’s heart can be an indicator of other structural or chromosomal abnormalities
Common problems which can show on the fetal echo scan are:
Routine ultrasound scans of your baby’s heart at 20 weeks may only pick up around 25% of defects depending on the skill of the operator and number of views of the heart which are looked at.
A specialist dedicated to looking at the heart structure and major vessels within and around the heart. A detailed scan like this can detect up to 75% of all heart defects. They can also provide you with much more information regarding a heart problem if it detected and treatment options that may be available .
Ideally performed when you are between 18 and 22 weeks in pregnancy, although in certain conditions it can be performed earlier in the pregnancy to detect problems sooner. The fetal echo heart scan is performed by our in-house fetal cardiac specialist in Dwarka, Delhi.
Dr. (Maj) Harshita is a Consultant in an experienced radiologist and has undergone extensive training in the diagnosis of babies with heart problems before they are born
Why arrange a fetal echo scan?
What do we check for on an echocardiogram scan?
Although many structural problems can be seen during the routine anomaly ultrasound scan, some heart abnormalities cannot be picked up. The fetal echo heart scan is performed using ultrasound including pulse wave and colour Doppler techniques.
Our specialist will be able to see how the blood is flowing through your baby’s heart chambers, as well as the arteries and veins which carry blood towards and away from the heart around the body. The speed of blood flow can also be measured. This information allows the specialist to detect any narrowing of the arteries and see if any valve problems are present, such as not opening or shutting normally.
Dr Harshita Surange,
Director Diagnostic and imaging center,
Sec 7 Dwarka Delhi