Old Technology Detects Fetal Heart Defects
September 30, 2005 | Heart and Blood Vessels
A new approach to an old technology is saving tiny lives. The test is called fetal echocardiogram and applies the same technology that’s been used in sonograms for years.
Seven-week-old Nathaniel, is mama’s champion, a title he rightly deserves after months of tests, retests and a life-threatening diagnosis.
“This was my second child and I didn’t feel any different form the first,” said his mother, Felice Nightengale. “He was moving, very active…”
Less than four weeks before his due date, an ultrasound revealed an abnormality in the baby’s heart. A fetal echocardiogram followed and confirmed his parents’ worst fears: Nathaniel had a congenital heart disease that would have to be operated soon after delivery.
Fetal echocardiograms have been performed for over a decade. The best results can be seen after the first trimester.
The machine is much like the Doppler radar used by meteorologists. Sound waves reflected onto a monitor outline the chambers and valves of the heart. Add a little color and you can see the blood flowing in and out of the valves, detecting any leakage or abnormality in size.
It’s an effective technology that doctors say is underutilized.
“We see these patients because they were referred to us and so that’s our stumbling block in being able to make these diagnosis and care for these children,” said Dr. Mark Lewin, pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Hospital.
Fortunately for Nathaniel, his parents did get the extra test and now their baby has a fighting chance.
“I think it made all the difference, especially his survivability and ability,” said his mother, Felice. “He did so well with everything that’s happened since then.”
The University of Washington was one of the first to apply echocardiograms to cardiac screenings.