Key result
Among 200 parents of children with congenital heart disease, only 23% were aware of fetal echocardiography, highlighting significant knowledge gaps regarding prenatal cardiac diagnosis.
Why the study?
Despite high recurrence rates of CHD in siblings justifying fetal echocardiography, examinations are limited in developing countries like Egypt, prompting an assessment of parental knowledge.
Cross-Sectional (n=200)
No
Parents of children with CHD in Egypt have significant knowledge gaps regarding fetal echocardiography, highlighting the need for improved parental counseling at the initial diagnosis.
Knowledge gaps in fetal echocardiography warrant clinician attention during counseling; leaves open whether education improves awareness in CHD families.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The high recurrence rate of congenital heart disease (CHD) in siblings was the rationale for recommending fetal echocardiography. However, in a developing country like Egypt, there are limited fetal echocardiographic examinations under this category. The study was conducted to assess knowledge about fetal echocardiography amongst parents of children with CHD. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was conducted in a tertiary pediatric hospital from June to December 2018. The study included parents having children with CHD follow up in the outpatient clinic or admitted in the pediatric cardiology ward. The questionnaire included demographic data of parents regarding sex, age, education, and residence. It also includes a detailed inquiry about parents` knowledge regarding the availability, safety, and value of fetal echocardiography. RESULTS: Participants were 200 parents, mostly mothers 159 (79.5%). The median age of parents included in the study was 33.5 (29-40) years. Regarding awareness, 134 (67%) did not know any prenatal diagnostic investigation for CHD, 46 (23%) knew fetal echocardiography, and 20 (10%) named other tools. Nevertheless, 34% of parents thought they would need fetal echocardiography in a subsequent pregnancy. Although 178 (89%) of parents thought it might be a safe investigation, 33% did not think it will have additional benefits over postnatal echocardiography. The age of the patient and age of the participating parent were the only statistically significant predictors for parents knowledge on fetal echocardiography existence with p= 0.008, 95% CI=1.039- 1.282 and p= 0.015, 95% CI = 0.864-0.984, respectively. CONCLUSION: Parents of children with CHD have significant knowledge gaps regarding Fetal Echocardiography. Our findings suggest that the current parent counseling is inadequate and needs further focus, especially in developing countries, to promote parents` understanding of the prenatal cardiac diagnosis. Data on fetal echocardiography should be clarified at the initial diagnosis of pediatric CHD.
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Shaimaa Rakha (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Congenital heart disease (parents of affected children) (n=200). Awareness of fetal echocardiography was evaluated on Knowledge on fetal echocardiography existence. Among 200 parents of children with congenital heart disease, only 23% were aware of fetal echocardiography, highlighting significant knowledge gaps regarding prenatal cardiac diagnosis.
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