Fetal Cardiology Services at Connecticut Children’s Connecticut Children’s Fetal Cardiology Program provides advanced diagnosis and care for the fetus with congenital heart disease or other abnormalities affecting the heart. What is Fetal Cardiology? Development of structural heart disease begins long before a baby is born. Fetal echocardiography allows our cardiologists to visualize and evaluate the heart while the mother is still pregnant. Diagnosis and Care Using state-of-the-art fetal cardiac imaging, our experienced fetal cardiologists perform detailed evaluations of fetuses at risk for heart disease. Following each diagnosis, a fetal cardiologist will provide a complete explanation of the defect to the parents and family, along with a description of expected fetal and neonatal care, possible surgical interventions and a long-term prognosis. Conditions that can be identified include: Abnormalities in heart structure Irregular or abnormal heart rhythm Problems with heart function If a heart problem is detected before a baby is born, we will work with everyone involved with the care of both the mother and baby; this includes obstetricians, perinatologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, cardiologists, pediatric cardiac surgeons and others. Some heart conditions can be treated before a baby is born. By providing comprehensive care and working as a team with everyone caring for mother and baby, everyone—including the parents—is aware of the heart defect and best prepared to care for the baby. Referrals Physicians can refer a patient to the Fetal Cardiology Program by faxing a completed Complex Fetal Care Consult Form to 1-833-PEDS-NOW (1-833-733-7669). Our Fetal Cardiology Team
