Mehnaz Atiq.
Fetal Echocardiography: An important tool in evaluating high risk pregnancies.
Pak Paed Cardiol J Jan ;3(1-2):30-2.

The purpose of this presentation is to share our experience of antenatal diagnosis of cardiac disease at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. This is a retrospective analysis of data on fetal echocardiography from January 1998 to December 2001. Atotal number of sixty patients were examined during this period. Maternal age ranged from 23-42 years, mean (±SD) being 28.9 t 4.1 years. The gestational age of the fetus varied from 18-37 weeks, mean (±SD) being 24.6 ± 4.2 weeks. Twelve patients were referred from other hospitals whereas 48 were referred from Aga Khan University Hospital. 35 patients had previous child with CHD as a major indication for Echocardiography. 8 had serious cardiac malformations and were considered for therapeutic abortion. Of these who delivered the babies, 4 had early mortality, within 72 hours of birth (Ebstein`s anomaly, Endocardial fibroelastosis, severe left ventricular dysfunction and severe tricuspid regurgitation). Postnatal confirmation was possible in 50% of patients.

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