Fetal echocardiologist and answers to questions

2 months ago

805 بازدید

Who is the fetal heart echo specialist? What are the duties of an echocardiologist? For which women is this test necessary? In this article, these questions are answered. Fetal echocardiography is a test that should be performed by a pediatric and fetal heart specialist.

If you have any of the following. Be sure to refer to a fetal echocardiologist to perform a fetal echocardiogram. These cases are divided into two categories, which are: ### risk factors related to the fetus:

- Abnormal heartbeat or fetal arrhythmia - Fetus suspected of genetic abnormality or its diagnosis in medical examinations - NT increase the thickness of the back or the same - Congenital non-cardiac structural problems in the fetus - Hydrops or accumulation of fluid in different parts of the body of the fetus

Maternal risk factors:

- Using certain drugs in the first trimester that cause birth defects - Using assisted reproductive methods in this pregnancy such as IVF - Family history of congenital heart disease - Some specific infections in the mother that affect the fetus - Family history of syndromes or genetic conditions that may affect the growth and development of the fetal heart

please use

When is the right time to perform echocardiography of the fetal heart? Fetal echocardiography is usually performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. This test may be done earlier in certain cases. When any of the high risk factors are present. Fetal echocardiography should be performed. We advise gynecologists and parents to do fetal heart echo as soon as possible and to contact us for more information.

What do the fetal heart echo results mean?

Normal results mean that the doctor did not observe any dangerous heart problems in the fetus's heart. But if the doctor finds a problem such as a congenital structural defect of the heart or an abnormal heartbeat and other problems in the body of the fetus, you may need more tests such as a fetal MRI scan. Your doctor may refer you to other specialists who can help you treat fetal problems. You may need more than one echocardiogram or more tests if your doctor suspects another problem. Do not forget that the attending physician cannot diagnose 100% of all fetal heart problems. Some small and mild problems in the heart are difficult to detect even with advanced instruments. The doctor will give you explanations about the cases that can be diagnosed with echocardiography. For more information from the article, what is the interpretation of the fetal echocardiogram? please use

Abnormal results of echocardiography of the fetal heart may not be sufficient for diagnostic decision making. More investigation is needed to diagnose the problems more precisely. Most of the time, the existence of some problems can be ruled out with the help of normal fetal heart echo results, and there is no need to do further tests. If the doctor diagnoses a specific problem, the pregnancy period and the delivery of the baby can be managed in a better way. The results of the fetal echo will help you and your doctor plan treatment for the period after the baby is born. You can also use the advice of a fetal heart doctor to make better decisions during pregnancy.

There are different types of congenital heart defects in people. Some of these problems cannot be diagnosed until the baby is born. But some others can be diagnosed during pregnancy and with the help of ultrasound. Your doctor will likely order a fetal echocardiogram. To check the condition of the heart of the fetus before birth. The results of this echo as well as ultrasound before birth can determine the presence of heart defects or their related risk factors for the doctor.

Treatment of heart defects in fetus

The fetal heart specialist will introduce you and your family to the treatment team. Your treatment team may. include fetal and pregnancy specialists, pediatric cardiologists, and pediatric cardiovascular surgeons. who will work together with neonatologists, nurses and genetic counselors to treat your baby's problem. Small heart defects are possible. They don't need anything but to be monitored. The purpose of this surveillance is to ensure this issue. that there is no problem. Some defects may also heal before the baby is born. In some cases, babies with congenital heart defects must undergo surgery. or undergo certain medical procedures at birth or a few days or weeks after. Only in very rare cases, treatment measures before the birth of the baby are needed to solve the problem of fetal heart defects. **Dr. Saeed Bitarafan, pediatric and fetal cardiology specialist** Main page

You can refer to the following sources for further study Fetal echocardiogram information for mothers

https://childrenswi.org/medical-care/herma-heart/programs/fetal-heart-program/fetal-cardiologist https://www.revespcardiol.org/en-fetal-cardiology-frontier-pediatric-cardiovascular-articulo-S1885585712001740 https://www.choc.org/heart/fetal-cardiology/