Results of ultrasonic screening after introduction of fetal cardiac check

Abstract

AbstractObjective. The objective was to determine the changes in the prenatal detection rate of congenital heart diseases and the emergency neonatal transfer rate due to conducting a fetal cardiac screening using a checklist.Methods. A checklist with 40 items, including eight items regarding the fetal heart, was used by registered medical sonographers conducting ultrasonic screenings on all pregnant women who were scheduled for delivery.Results. The prenatal detection rate of congenital heart diseases was 13.8% prior to the checklist and increased to 34.2% after its implementation. Regarding major congenital heart diseases, the detection rate is now 89.5%, and most diseases can be detected before birth. For five years prior to implementation of fetal cardiac screening, there were 14 cases of newborns (0.14%) requiring emergency neonatal transfer due to a major congenital heart disease that was not detected before birth. For five years after implementation, the emergency transfer rate decreased by 1/7 to 0...