V Berghella1, L Pagotto, M Kaufman, J C Huhta, R J Wapner. 1. Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa, USA. vincenzo.berghella@mail.tju.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the detection and accuracy of fetal echocardiography for congenital heart defects (CHD). (2) To compare the detection and accuracy of a team of maternal fetal medicine specialists and radiologists (MFM/R) with those of perinatal cardiologists (PC). METHODS: All fetal echocardiograms performed from 1/91 to 6/95 were reviewed retrospectively. CHD diagnoses made prenatally were compared with postnatally-confirmed diagnoses. RESULTS: 106 heat defects were correctly detected prenatally. There were 10 incorrect diagnoses, 6 false-negatives and 4 false-positives. Overall detection rate (sensitivity) was 95%, while overall accuracy was 87%. Detection rate for MFM/R and PC were 91 and 97%, respectively (p = 0.4). Accuracy was 74% for MFM/R and 92% for PC (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: CHD can be identified reliably by prenatal echocardiography. The involvement of a PC in the prenatal diagnosis of these defects may improve diagnostic accuracy. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the detection and accuracy of fetal echocardiography for congenital heart defects (CHD). (2) To compare the detection and accuracy of a team of maternal fetal medicine specialists and radiologists (MFM/R) with those of perinatal cardiologists (PC). METHODS: All fetal echocardiograms performed from 1/91 to 6/95 were reviewed retrospectively. CHD diagnoses made prenatally were compared with postnatally-confirmed diagnoses. RESULTS: 106 heat defects were correctly detected prenatally. There were 10 incorrect diagnoses, 6 false-negatives and 4 false-positives. Overall detection rate (sensitivity) was 95%, while overall accuracy was 87%. Detection rate for MFM/R and PC were 91 and 97%, respectively (p = 0.4). Accuracy was 74% for MFM/R and 92% for PC (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: CHD can be identified reliably by prenatal echocardiography. The involvement of a PC in the prenatal diagnosis of these defects may improve diagnostic accuracy. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel