Characterization of Lesions in the Central Nervous System Based on Neurosonography and Magnetic Resonance in Fetus with Isolated Congenital Heart Defects. A Systematic Review

Introduction: Congenitalheartdefectsrepresentoneofthemainmalformationsdiagnosed prenatally. These are a major cause of neuro developmental disorders and it has even been proposed that structural brain alteration is found from early stages of fetal development. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the existing evidence of prenatal diagnosis of structural braina lterations found in fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging and neurosonography in fetus with isolated congenital heart defect. Materials and Methods: A search of Pubmed, Science Direct, Clinical Key and EBSCO databases was conducted in order to review study cases of fetuses with congenital heart defect between 18 and 37 week with Doppler ultrasonography, neurosonography and /or fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging. Results: A total of 16 articles were selected and it was found that the fetuses with congenital heart defect present structural neurological alterations from intrauterine life showed by neurosonography and fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion: The evidence emphasizes on the importance of studying in detail the central nervous system of fetuses with congenital heart defect and the relationship between structural brain alterations and neurodevelopmental disorders impairment since prenatal stages.