Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of ectopia cordis

Abstract

Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by partial or complete displacement of the heart outside the thoracic cavity. It can be associated with other congenital abnormalities. The present case is the prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of ectopia cordis with sternal cleft, gastroschisis, fetal ascites, and bilateral pleural effusion illustrated in a 34 weeks gestation fetus and correlated with postnatal findings.