Sonographic Prenatal Diagnosis of a Vascular Ring in an In Vitro Fertilization Fetus

Abstract

The use of assisted reproductive technology, specifically in vitro fertilization, has been shown to increase the risk for the fetus having a congenital malformation as compared with a fetus conceived naturally. Congenital malformations can be effectively diagnosed prenatally through the use of sonography and fetal echocardiography. This case study presents the sonographic prenatal detection of a vascular ring in the heart of a fetus conceived through in vitro fertilization. A right aortic arch with a left ductus arteriosus was identified in the three-vessel view during a detailed fetal echocardiogram. The use of prenatal sonography, specifically fetal echocardiography, led to the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for the fetus.