Fetal echocardiography: experience and reason.

: Improvements in echocardiographic techniques have allowed detailed study of the fetal heart by experienced paediatric echocardiographers. We report 40 studies in 36 fetuses from 18 to 38 weeks' gestation whose mothers were referred for the assessment of fetal hydrops or arrhythmia or because of a family history of congenital heart disease. Normal, or probably normal, cardiac structure was demonstrated in 29 studies and abnormal, or probably abnormal, structure in seven. In four studies the imaging was inadequate and an opinion was deferred until further study. In this series, the sensitivity and specificity of the technique was 100% and 95% respectively. Fetal echocardiography is useful in pregnancies at high risk of fetal heart disease and for the further study of developmental cardiology. The results of such studies include the optimal management of pregnancy and delivery of high-risk neonates, and the allaying of parental anxiety.