Fetal Echocardiography is a form of Ultra Sound Scan where in the heart defects are detected and diagnosed on babies before birth. The incidence of Congenital Heart Disease in the babies is around 6-8 for every thousand babies born. The development of the heart is complete by 3 months of pregnancy. The ideal time for Fetal Echocardiographic Examination is around 4th month of pregnancy. The main objective of Fetal Echocardiography is for early detection of heart defects which helps in proper planning and counseling and also we can know whether the baby is going to have a simple heart defects or complex cardiac problems. It is also useful in recognizing the heart rate whether is too high or too low, which can be treated even before birth.

According to Dr.C.N.Manjunath, Director, the incidence of heart diseases in babies is more in those pregnant women who have diabetes and family history of Congenital Heart Disease, those who are taking psychiatric and Epilepsy medication. Viral fever such as Rubella, Alcoholic intake during early pregnancy also increases the risk of heart disease in the babies.

This workshop was conducted on 2nd February 2014 at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore where more than 100 Doctors including Cardiologists / Radiologists / Pediatricians and Obstericians attended this live workshop. During this workshop live demonstration of Fetal Echo was performed for the benefit of delegates.

Dr. Jayaranganath, Professor of Pediatric Cardiology & Dr. Usha, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Cardiology from Jayadeva Hospital and Dr. Balu Vaidyanathan from Amrita Hospital, Kochi and Dr. Veeramani were the faculty members participated in this workshop. There are no hazards of Fetal Echocardiography either on the mother or on the baby.

Sd/-
DIRECTOR