Key result
Fetal echocardiography achieves 100% view acquisition success at 18-21 weeks gestation regardless of maternal BMI.
Why the study?
The study aimed to identify the ability to acquire various fetal cardiac views using two-dimensional ultrasound across different gestational age and body mass index categories.
Does gestational age and maternal BMI affect the ability to acquire satisfactory fetal cardiac views using two-dimensional ultrasound in low-risk pregnant women?
Observational (n=314)
No
Does gestational age and maternal BMI affect the ability to acquire satisfactory fetal cardiac views using two-dimensional ultrasound in low-risk pregnant women?
p-value: p=0.62
The optimal timing for fetal echocardiography is between 18 and 26 weeks of gestation, and maternal BMI does not hamper the acquisition of cardiac views.
Supports 18-21 weeks as preferred window for fetal cardiac views in low-risk pregnancies; hypothesis-generating for BMI effects in broader populations.
Aim: To identify the ability to acquire various fetal cardiac views using two-dimensional ultrasound at different gestational age and body mass index (BMI) categories. Materials and methods:We performed a prospective observational study among low-risk women with singleton pregnancies attending the University Obstetrics Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka.The ability to obtain satisfactory views of the situs, four chambers, right and left outflow tracts, three vessels, aortic arch, ductal arch, and superior and inferior vena cava of fetal heart was studied.Results: A total of 314 eligible pregnant women underwent fetal echocardiography and 288 had complete data.All eight cardiac views were obtained with 100% success at the gestational age of 18 -21 + 6 weeks and days.All eight cardiac views were satisfactory in more than 97% at the gestational age of 22 -25 + 6 weeks and days.Body mass index was not significantly associated with acquisition of cardiac views at all gestations (p = 0.62).All eight cardiac views were obtained with 50% success at 14 -17 + 6 weeks and 5.4% success at 11 -13 + 6 weeks and days.Conclusions: Acquisition of all fetal cardiac views was best at 18 -21 + 6 weeks and days of gestation, but reasonably successful till 26 weeks.Acquisition was sub-optimal in first trimester, below 18 weeks and for some cardiac views after 26 weeks.BMI does not hamper the ability to obtain cardiac views during fetal echocardiography.Clinical significance: This could be used as a guide for the timing of echocardiography when a particular cardiac defect is suspected in the fetus, where specific cardiac view(s) are used to confirm the particular diagnosis as well as the most appropriate gestational age period.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Patabendige et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Pregnancy (n=314). Gestational age and maternal body mass index was evaluated on Ability to obtain satisfactory views of eight fetal cardiac structures (p=0.62). Acquisition of all fetal cardiac views was 100% successful at 18-21 weeks gestation, and maternal BMI did not significantly affect view acquisition (p=0.62).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: