Prenatal screening for congenital heart disease: Status report in a level 3 maternity hospital

Abstract

Introduction

Congenital heart disease is a condition in which the heart and blood vessels are affected at the time of birth antenatal diagnosis of these malformations allows the organization of neonatal care.

Objective

The objective of our study is to evaluate the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease and the contribution of ultrasound in the management of this disease.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study carried out at the department of gynecology-obstetrics D. We included in this study pregnant women aged 18 years and older and whose gestational age (GA) was ≥ 14 weeks of amenorrhea. Clear and informed consent was sought from the patients to participate in the study.

Results/Expected results

During our study, 96 observations were included. The average age of the patients was 32.4 years, ranging from 20 to 45 years. The most represented age group (36%) was between 30 and 35 years old. The majority of marriages were non-consanguineous at 70%. 7% of the heart diseases were detected before 18 weeks of amenorrhea and 49% between 18 and 24 weeks of amenorrhea. The majority of the heart diseases were detected after 24 weeks (43%). In total, 62% of the cardiopathies corresponds to abnormalities of the 4 chambers. 35% of the malformations are conotronic disorders. 4% of the congenital heart diseases are abnormalities of the heart rhythm. 15% of the 4 cavities anomalies are related to chromosomal aberrations. 38% of CAV are related to T21. 18% of patients had a medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), against 81% who continued their pregnancies.

Conclusion/Perspectives

In spite of the progress made in the prenatal diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease and the increasing competence of referral ultrasound physicians in the detection of these anomalies, the rate of detection in the general population is still low as well as the term of detection.