What is Fetal Echo?

 

A fetal echo is a form of ultrasound test. It is a non-invasive test and needs to carry out from the abdomen of the expectant mother as radiologists are carrying a level II ultrasound (USG) test. One important thing that patients should be aware of is that fetal echo should always be done by a Pediatric Cardiologist as they are aware of fetal and pediatric cardiac diseases in detail as compared to the adult cardiologist or a radiologist. Child heart diseases are different as compared to adult heart diseases. There is no need for special precautions that mothers should carry out before the test. She can take food as well as can pass urine before the test. The time to conduct this test varies from patient to patient as it depends on multiple factors like fetal position, amniotic fluid, maternal abdomen thickness (obesity), etc. Fetal echo doesn’t have any side-effect on the growing fetus.

Why fetal echo?

• By doing this test, we can identify various fetal heart problems even before the birth of the baby like structural heart defects (e.g. TOF, VSD, TGA, etc) as well as we can detect fetal heartbeat disorders like fetal decreased (Fetal bradycardia) or increased heart rate (Fetal tachycardia) along with fetal heart rhythm issues like heart block, etc.
• Also, by identifying any of the above problems, we can plan further course of pregnancy as well as counsel the family accordingly.

Who needs to have a fetal echo?

The question that is most commonly asked by the parents is it compulsory to undergo a fetal echo test?

In the Indian setup, the majority replies on level II USG, if reported normal then few parents are not willing to undergo this test, but level II ultrasound can detect only 40% of fetal heart ailments.

Few pregnancies should always undergo fetal echo test without any doubt:

• Abnormally reported any ultrasound
• Maternal age ≥ 35 years
• Known cases of maternal diabetes, rubella, SLE, etc.
• Sibling with heart disease
• Parents with birth heart defects
• X-ray or drug exposure during pregnancy
• Twin or multiple fetuses
• IVF pregnancy

When to get Fetal Echo Done?

Any time after 18 weeks of gestation, we can conduct a fetal echo but the most ideal time to carry out this test is between 18-24 weeks of gestation, preferably before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

How sure can rely on fetal echo?

By doing this test, can detect almost 90% of various fetal heart-related problems including fetal cardiac holes, fetal heart valve problems, and fetal cardiac rhythm diseases before the birth of a baby.

To know more about Fetal echo Shalimar Bagh, visit Fetal Heart Care.