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Fetal Cardiology Program
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Home Clinical Services Fetal Cardiology Program Diagnosing Heart Defects
Flower Diagnosing Heart Defects
Can a heart defect be diagnosed before my baby is born?
Yes. A heart defect can be detected in your baby using an ultrasound study or echocardiography, which is the name used for a specialized cardiac ultrasound. Diagnosis of a serious heart defect before your baby is born enables doctors to further examine the defect, closely monitor your child's overall health, carefully plan for your baby's delivery and ensure a smooth transition to the necessary specialized care after birth. In some cases, your baby may be a candidate for in utero treatment.
How early in my pregnancy can a heart defect be detected?
The common practice is for heart defects to be detected between 16 and 22 weeks. This is the usual age at which most pregnant women undergo a screening obstetric ultrasound. Some serious heart defects can be detected as early as 14 weeks.
How are congenital heart defects diagnosed?
Fetal Echocardiography
Fetal Echocardiography
Fetal ultrasounds are performed in most pregnant women to monitor fetal growth and to detect abnormalities. Serious congenital heart defects can be found during routine fetal ultrasounds. If your baby has potential risk factors, like a family history of heart disease, the Fetal Cardiology Program at Children's offers ultrasound by experienced cardiologists who will carefully examine your baby's heart.

Working with specialists from the Advanced Fetal Care Center (AFCC) at Children's Hospital and at Brigham and Women's Hospital, our program uses the most advanced and accurate diagnostic tests including:

  • Fetal Echocardiogram: This is a highly specialized, detailed ultrasound examination of your baby's heart. It's usually performed if a heart defect is suspected or needs to be ruled out.

  • Fetal Ultrasound: This routine, painless test provides general information about the growth of your baby, and the structure and function of the baby's organs.

  • Fetal Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test produces detailed images of your baby's organs and structures within the body. MRI is mainly used to obtain detailed images of the fetal chest, abdomen and brain.

  • Amniocentesis: This test is performed by obstetricians and is used to obtain amniotic fluid which can be used for genetic and other diagnostic tests.
When are diagnostic tests necessary?
Most women will have a second trimester ultrasound by an obstetrician or radiologist that evaluates the heart in addition to the rest of the fetus. This is sufficient in most cases. It is not necessary for all pregnancies to undergo fetal echocardiography unless the ultrasound detects a heart abnormality.

Situations in which a fetal echocardiogram may be necessary include:

  • If a routine prenatal ultrasound has discovered possible heart abnormalities.
  • If a sibling was born with a congenital heart defect.
  • If there is other family history of congenital heart disease (such as parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents).
  • If a chromosomal or genetic abnormality is discovered in the fetus.
  • If a mother has taken certain medications that may cause congenital heart defects, such as anti-seizure medications, Lithium or prescription acne medications.
  • If the mother has abused alcohol or drugs during pregnancy.
  • If a mother has diabetes or a connective tissue disease such as lupus.
  • If the mother has had rubella during pregnancy.
It is important to note that most serious heart defects are detected in otherwise low risk pregnancies with no family history of congenital heart defects.
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