Why is it done?
It is done to detect any major malformation of the heart whenever there is high index of suspicion of, the yet to be born baby, suffering from life threatening heart disease. Examples being in feutus with extracardiac anomalies picked up on obstetric ultrasound, those with a history of CHD in family, maternal diabetes (especially insulin dependent), maternal connective tissue disorder etc. Ultrasound assessment of fetus, however, has a clear role in the diagnosis, monitoring and management of fetuses with sustained arrhythmias. Prenatal diagnosis of CHD helps in planning the optimal management of the baby e.g. a fetus with a ductus dependent lesion can be planned to be delivered in a tertiary care centre for stabilization and early initiation of prostaglandin therapy to avoid acidosis and organ damage. Future of fetal medicine lies in fetal cardiac surgery for which echocardiography will play a very important role.