Antenatal detection of congenital heart disease

Abstract 

Congenital heart disease is an important cause of mortality in infancy. Most lesions detected antenatally are identified because of an abnormal 18–20-week scan, approximately 10% being found on a specialist scan for a known risk factor. Conditions that can be seen in the four-chamber view are most likely to be detected. The spectrum of heart disease is therefore different from that diagnosed postnatally. Atrioventricular septal defects and hypoplastic left heart syndrome are the most commonly diagnosed conditions. There is conflicting evidence regarding whether the antenatal diagnosis of duct-dependent lesions improves survival. Analysis is complicated as this represents the severe end of the clinical spectrum. These infants also have a higher incidence of chromosomal and extracardiac abnormalities, which adversely affects outcome. An early recognition of heart disease allows the parents time to consider the options available to them and make decisions based on information of the condition and its implications.

Keywords:  Echocardiography, Congenital heart disease, Prenatal diagnosis