Infant cardiology is the study of the fetal heart before birth. Using a high resolution ultrasound we can study the shape and function of the heart.
This test is usually performed when cardiac malformations are expected in the fetus or the pregnant woman is at increased risk of giving birth to a child with a cardiac malformation.
This risk is present when:
- There is a family history of congenital heart disease in the family.
- The pregnant woman is diabetic, suffers from infections during pregnancy or lupus disease.
The risk can be detected from the sixth week of gestation, although it is recommended to wait until the 18th or 22nd week to see the shape of the heart with sufficient quality.
The method is very simple, in the same way that a pregnancy ultrasound is performed. Its duration will vary, but it usually lasts between 15 and 60 minutes depending on the position of the fetus.
Limitations of ultrasound
However, it will not always be possible to detect cardiac malformations in the fetus. Some will go unnoticed prenatally and usually correspond to minor defects with little impact on the child’s quality of life.
On the other hand, it will not be possible to detect malformations of other organs. The test is limited to evaluating the shape and function of the fetal heart.
How are problems treated?
Even if abnormalities are detected in the fetus, no intervention is performed after the baby is born, since most cardiac malformations do not compromise the development and well-being of the fetus.
However, in severe cases of malformations that compromise the life of the fetus, termination of pregnancy is the option.
Early detection of cardiac problems makes it possible to develop a prognosis and treatment to reverse possible complications that may arise after delivery.