OBJECTIVES: To assess etiology, perinatal mortality and associated factors of fetal cardiomegaly (FC). METHODS: A retrospective study of fetuses with cardiomegaly was conducted. Demographic data, ultrasonographic findings, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-three fetuses were analyzed. The causes of FC were cardiac causes 49.5%, Bart's hemoglobinopathies 28%, and non-Bart's anemia 15%. Ascites, pericardial effusion, and hydrops were more prevalent in fetuses with anemia than those with cardiac abnormalities. The overall perinatal mortality was 69.9%. Although all Bart's hydrops died, perinatal mortality of non-Bart's anemia, and structural cardiac defect were 57.1 and 69.7%, respectively. Excluding Bart's anemia, receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that cardiothoracic ratio of ≥0.58 best predictive for perinatal mortality. Earlier gestational age at diagnosis, skin edema, and chromosomal abnormality were associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Majority causes of FC were cardiac and anemic in origin. It carried high-perinatal mortality depending on the causes.
OBJECTIVES: To assess etiology, perinatal mortality and associated factors of fetal cardiomegaly (FC). METHODS: A retrospective study of fetuses with cardiomegaly was conducted. Demographic data, ultrasonographic findings, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-three fetuses were analyzed. The causes of FC were cardiac causes 49.5%, Bart's hemoglobinopathies 28%, and non-Bart's anemia 15%. Ascites, pericardial effusion, and hydrops were more prevalent in fetuses with anemia than those with cardiac abnormalities. The overall perinatal mortality was 69.9%. Although all Bart's hydrops died, perinatal mortality of non-Bart's anemia, and structural cardiac defect were 57.1 and 69.7%, respectively. Excluding Bart's anemia, receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that cardiothoracic ratio of ≥0.58 best predictive for perinatal mortality. Earlier gestational age at diagnosis, skin edema, and chromosomal abnormality were associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Majority causes of FC were cardiac and anemic in origin. It carried high-perinatal mortality depending on the causes.