Fetal echocardiography is a detailed ultrasound examination of the fetal heart, typically performed between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation. It goes beyond the basic cardiac evaluation included in a routine anatomy scan, providing comprehensive assessment of the heart’s structure, function, and rhythm. Fetal echocardiography is recommended when there is an increased risk of congenital heart disease, such as a family history of heart defects, abnormal findings on routine ultrasound, maternal diabetes, or certain genetic conditions. The examination includes multiple imaging planes to evaluate all four chambers, the great vessels, the aortic and ductal arches, and blood flow patterns across the valves and through the fetal circulation.
Sonography Term