Specialized Imaging: Fetal Echocardiography

If you have been referred for evaluation of a possible cardiac condition, we know that this can be a scary time.

The physicians at URMC and UR Medicine's Golisano Children’s Hospital are world-class sub-specialists with expertise in diagnosing and treating congenital heart defects. In the last five years, the UR Medicine Maternal-Fetal Medicine team has seen and evaluated almost 1000 women whose babies are at risk for, or have some form of congenital heart disease, and almost 500 with cardiac findings.

Most women who come to Maternal-Fetal  Medicine for fetal echocardiography receive a Level II fetal echocardiograph from one of our fetal echocardiograph boarded sonographers and return home with normal findings.

For women with findings or further concerns, our team will discuss the findings, review any other associated findings, and discuss the implications of these for your pregnancy and delivery. Our fetal care coordinator will help organize any further imaging that is needed, including referral for imaging with the Children’s Heart Center at Golisano Children's Hospital.

The Children’s Heart Center at Golisano Children's Hospital

Each year, the Children’s Heart Center performs more than 4000 pediatric echocardiograms. If there are findings, the Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Fetal Cardiology teams will follow women closely for the rest of the pregnancy, if needed. The Fetal Cardiology team includes a pediatric cardiologist, advanced practice nurse, and social worker.

The Pediatric Cardiology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine teams will review and discuss any infants with findings and help determine if your baby needs to deliver at Golisano Children's Hospital or if the teams can follow up after birth. The pregnancy is discussed in detail with Perinatology (Maternal-Fetal Medicine), Neonatology and, if necessary, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery. Delivery is planned in conjunction with these groups.