What is a fetal echocardiography (fetal 2d echo)?
Baby in mother’s womb is called as fetus. Echocardiography examination of fetal heart is called as Fetal Echo. It gives detailed information about structure and function of heart,congenital heart defects, problems with heart rhythm or rate (Arrhythmia) , cardiomyopathy etc.After birth of baby, these defects are confirmed with help of 2D Echocardiography.
What will paediatric cardiologist or counsel after the fetal 2d echo?
The paediatric cardiologist will explain nature of defect in detail and along with that what can happen to child in womb and after birth. He will also discuss about need and timing of surgery/intervention as well as long term outcome. This discussion is diagnosis specific and includes morbidity, mortality at every step and over all life expectancy. This is a crucial piece of advice which will help expecting parents in decision making and prepare for child birth.