What question did this study set out to answer?

To describe the disease spectrum, diagnostic accuracy, chromosomal associations, and pregnancy outcomes in a large prospective series of fetal congenital heart disease.

September 18, 2026Journal of the American College of CardiologyOpen Access

Prospective diagnosis of 1,006 consecutive cases of congenital heart disease in the fetus

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Fetal congenital heart disease (n=1006). Intervention: Fetal congenital heart disease vs. Infants with congenital heart disease. Primary outcome: Spectrum of disease, accuracy of diagnosis, fetal karyotype, and pregnancy outcome.

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Key result

Fetal CHD diagnosis reveals a distinct anomaly spectrum and more chromosomal abnormalities versus live births.

n=1,006

Why the study?

Knowledge and expertise in the diagnosis, management, and natural history of fetal congenital heart disease are increasingly demanded by obstetricians and parents, necessitating analysis of a large series to aid pediatric cardiologists.

Population

1,006 consecutive fetuses with prospectively diagnosed congenital heart disease

Comparison

Spectrum of fetal cardiac anomalies compared with that in infants

Design

Observational review of prospectively diagnosed cases since 1980

Authors

LALindsey D. AllanRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust GSGurleen SharlandKing's College London AMA. MilburnGuy's Hospital

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Observational study reveals high diagnostic accuracy and distinct defect spectrums in fetuses with congenital heart disease, indicating significant impacts on postnatal presentation.

Key Points

To describe the disease spectrum, diagnostic accuracy, chromosomal associations, and pregnancy outcomes in a large prospective series of fetal congenital heart disease.
Reviewed the clinical records of 1,006 consecutive fetuses prospectively diagnosed with congenital heart disease since 1980.
Assessed referral indications, diagnostic accuracy, fetal karyotypes, and pregnancy outcomes, categorizing defects and comparing them against postnatally diagnosed infant cohorts.
Most fetal cardiac anomalies were initially identified during obstetric ultrasonography, presenting a distribution of structural defects distinct from liveborn infant populations.
Chromosomal abnormalities were observed more frequently in fetuses than in liveborn cohorts.
Diagnostic accuracy was high, while overall survival after diagnosis remained low due to lesion complexity and elective pregnancy interruptions.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=1,006)

PICO

Population

1,006 fetuses with a prospective diagnosis of congenital heart disease, evaluated for disease spectrum, karyotype, and pregnancy outcome.

Exposure / Comparator

Fetal congenital heart disease vs Infants with congenital heart disease

Primary Outcome

Spectrum of disease, accuracy of diagnosis, fetal karyotype, and pregnancy outcome

Cite This Study

Allan et al. (1994) conducted an observational in Fetal congenital heart disease (n=1,006). Fetal congenital heart disease vs. Infants with congenital heart disease was evaluated on Spectrum of disease, accuracy of diagnosis, fetal karyotype, and pregnancy outcome. Prospective diagnosis of 1,006 fetuses with congenital heart disease revealed a different spectrum of anomalies and higher frequency of chromosomal abnormalities compared to live births.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aad01570c7bbc3e61ee9e4e https://doi.org/10.1016/0735-1097(94)90391-3

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September 18, 2026Journal of the American College of CardiologyOpen Access

Prospective diagnosis of 1,006 consecutive cases of congenital heart disease in the fetus

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Fetal CHD diagnosis reveals a distinct anomaly spectrum and more chromosomal abnormalities versus live births.

n=1,006

Why the study?

Population

1,006 consecutive fetuses with prospectively diagnosed congenital heart disease

Comparison

Spectrum of fetal cardiac anomalies compared with that in infants

Design

Observational review of prospectively diagnosed cases since 1980

Authors

LALindsey D. AllanRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust GSGurleen SharlandKing's College London AMA. MilburnGuy's Hospital

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Observational study reveals high diagnostic accuracy and distinct defect spectrums in fetuses with congenital heart disease, indicating significant impacts on postnatal presentation.

Key Points

To describe the disease spectrum, diagnostic accuracy, chromosomal associations, and pregnancy outcomes in a large prospective series of fetal congenital heart disease.
Reviewed the clinical records of 1,006 consecutive fetuses prospectively diagnosed with congenital heart disease since 1980.
Assessed referral indications, diagnostic accuracy, fetal karyotypes, and pregnancy outcomes, categorizing defects and comparing them against postnatally diagnosed infant cohorts.
Most fetal cardiac anomalies were initially identified during obstetric ultrasonography, presenting a distribution of structural defects distinct from liveborn infant populations.
Chromosomal abnormalities were observed more frequently in fetuses than in liveborn cohorts.
Diagnostic accuracy was high, while overall survival after diagnosis remained low due to lesion complexity and elective pregnancy interruptions.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=1,006)

PICO

Population

1,006 fetuses with a prospective diagnosis of congenital heart disease, evaluated for disease spectrum, karyotype, and pregnancy outcome.

Exposure / Comparator

Fetal congenital heart disease vs Infants with congenital heart disease

Primary Outcome

Spectrum of disease, accuracy of diagnosis, fetal karyotype, and pregnancy outcome

Cite This Study

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aad01570c7bbc3e61ee9e4e https://doi.org/10.1016/0735-1097(94)90391-3

Also Consider

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