{"id":963,"date":"2026-03-04T10:32:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T10:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/?p=963"},"modified":"2026-10-13T20:08:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T20:08:19","slug":"diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/","title":{"rendered":"Conotruncal Heart Defects: Prenatal Diagnosis with Fetal Echocardiography"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The diagnosis of critical conotruncal anomalies in fetal echocardiography enables the prenatal detection of structural disorders of the outflow tracts of the great arteries. Early and accurate diagnosis reduces the risk of postnatal hemodynamic instability and allows planned delivery in an appropriate center and timely surgical preparation.<\/p>\n<p>Early diagnosis of conotruncal defects in fetal echocardiography requires the systematic evaluation of the outflow tract and three-vessel-trachea views in addition to the four-chamber view. Pathologies such as Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, and truncus arteriosus can be identified with a high accuracy rate through this detailed examination.<\/p>\n<p>The ultrasonographic findings of great artery anomalies in the prenatal period are characterized by abnormalities in the relationship between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Signs such as vessel diameter mismatch, parallel course, or a single artery appearance constitute an indication for advanced fetal cardiac examination and directly affect the perinatal prognosis.<\/p>\n<p>In high-risk pregnancies, indications for fetal cardiac screening expand in the presence of a family history of congenital heart disease, increased nuchal translucency, and accompanying extracardiac anomalies. A multidisciplinary approach and serial follow-ups play a fundamental role in the management of critical conotruncal defects that may require urgent postnatal intervention.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#What_Are_Congenital_Heart_Diseases_and_Conotruncal_Anomalies_Actually\" >What Are Congenital Heart Diseases and Conotruncal Anomalies Actually?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#Why_Is_Early_Diagnosis_in_the_Womb_of_Vital_Importance_for_the_Baby\" >Why Is Early Diagnosis in the Womb of Vital Importance for the Baby?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#In_What_Ways_Does_Fetal_Echocardiography_Differ_from_Standard_Pregnancy_Ultrasound\" >In What Ways Does Fetal Echocardiography Differ from Standard Pregnancy Ultrasound?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#What_Are_the_Most_Appropriate_Timing_for_Examination_and_the_Heart_Examination_Techniques_Used\" >What Are the Most Appropriate Timing for Examination and the Heart Examination Techniques Used?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#Which_Critical_Heart_Structures_Are_Examined_in_Detailed_Imaging_Sections\" >Which Critical Heart Structures Are Examined in Detailed Imaging Sections?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#What_Is_Tetralogy_of_Fallot_Blue_Baby_Disease_and_How_Is_It_Diagnosed\" >What Is Tetralogy of Fallot (Blue Baby Disease) and How Is It Diagnosed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#How_Does_Transposition_of_the_Great_Arteries_Vessel_Reversal_Develop\" >How Does Transposition of the Great Arteries (Vessel Reversal) Develop?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#What_Are_Double_Outlet_Right_Ventricle_and_Truncus_Arteriosus_Conditions\" >What Are Double Outlet Right Ventricle and Truncus Arteriosus Conditions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#Why_Is_Doppler_Ultrasonography_Absolutely_Necessary_in_Heart_Examination\" >Why Is Doppler Ultrasonography Absolutely Necessary in Heart Examination?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#Which_Genetic_Conditions_May_Accompany_Heart_Anomalies\" >Which Genetic Conditions May Accompany Heart Anomalies?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/diagnosis-of-critical-conotruncal-anomalies-in-fetal-echocardiography\/#How_Does_Birth_Planning_and_the_Process_Progress_After_Diagnosis\" >How Does Birth Planning and the Process Progress After Diagnosis?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Congenital_Heart_Diseases_and_Conotruncal_Anomalies_Actually\"><\/span>What Are Congenital Heart Diseases and Conotruncal Anomalies Actually?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the very early stages of the journey in the womb, while the embryo is still a living being of only a few millimeters, the heart begins to beat in the form of a straight tube. As the weeks of pregnancy progress, this tiny tube folds over itself, curves in various directions, and begins to divide into chambers with internal walls. During this magnificent architectural construction process, special groups of cells migrating toward the heart from different parts of the body form the delicate partitions that separate the ventricular outflow tracts, valves, and main vessels from one another. Even the slightest deviation, slowdown, or positioning error that may occur in this cellular migration and development process gives rise to a highly complex group of diseases called conotruncal anomalies.<\/p>\n<p>This group of diseases includes many diseases, primarily Tetralogy of Fallot and complete transposition of the great vessels (also known as TGA, BAT), as well as double outlet right ventricle, truncus arteriosus, and pulmonary atresia.<\/p>\n<p>In a normal and completely healthy anatomical structure, the main artery, namely the aorta, which is responsible for distributing clean blood to all organs, arises from the lower left chamber of the heart. The pulmonary artery, which carries oxygen-depleted dirty blood collected from the body to the lungs to be cleaned, arises from the lower right chamber. These two enormous and vital vessels form a flawless structure by crossing each other at a right angle at the very first moment they exit the heart. However, in conotruncal abnormalities, this basic and vital architecture is completely disrupted. The vessels may originate from the wrong chambers, the internal walls separating the vessels may not form at all, the vessels may follow a completely parallel course instead of crossing, or there may be very serious narrowings at the origins and valves of the vessels that obstruct blood flow. These major structural problems, which constitute a very important part of all congenital heart diseases diagnosed after birth, are actually cellular errors that occur during the first few weeks of construction in the womb.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Early_Diagnosis_in_the_Womb_of_Vital_Importance_for_the_Baby\"><\/span>Why Is Early Diagnosis in the Womb of Vital Importance for the Baby?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A baby\u2019s circulatory system in the womb has a completely different, unique, and miraculous functioning compared with the circulatory system after birth. While the baby is in the womb, it does not breathe with its own lungs; during this period, the lungs are organs filled with fluid, collapsed, and on standby. All the oxygen and vital nutrients the baby needs for growth come from the mother\u2019s placenta through the umbilical cord. Thanks to this special system, instead of going to the lungs, blood in the womb is distributed directly to the body through certain special temporary vessels and natural openings inside the heart. Thanks to this protected and redundant circulatory system, even a fetus with a very severe and complex anatomical disorder in its heart generally continues to grow and develop throughout pregnancy without experiencing any distress or oxygen deprivation. However, the moment of birth, the very first second when the baby comes into the outside world and the cord is cut, is the moment when this protected environment ends forever. With the cutting of the cord, the baby\u2019s own lungs fill with air, suddenly become active, and the heart now has to pump blood to the lungs for cleaning and cleaned blood to the entire body by itself. If there is a problem in the great vessels leaving the heart, for example if the route to the lung is completely blocked or the great vessels are connected to the heart in reverse, oxygen-poor blood begins to be pumped into the baby\u2019s body at the moment of birth, and a fatal crisis picture emerges within seconds. The power of early diagnosis that changes the entire medical process comes into play at this point.<\/p>\n<p>Diagnosing the disease during pregnancy ensures that the baby is born in a well-equipped center with a neonatal intensive care unit. Having pediatric cardiology specialists ready in the delivery room, starting special medications that support the vessels that need to remain open as soon as the baby is born, and intervening within seconds are possible only thanks to early diagnosis.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_What_Ways_Does_Fetal_Echocardiography_Differ_from_Standard_Pregnancy_Ultrasound\"><\/span>In What Ways Does Fetal Echocardiography Differ from Standard Pregnancy Ultrasound?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Fetal echocardiography is the very specific, fine, and in-depth analysis of the baby\u2019s heart in the womb using high-tech devices. In standard obstetric scans known in society as detailed ultrasound, all organs of the baby such as the brain, kidneys, stomach, and spine are examined in general terms within a certain period of time. During these scans, the heart is also evaluated, but this evaluation is usually limited to whether the four main chambers of the heart can be seen. When it comes to conotruncal anomalies, this approach alone is absolutely not sufficient. Clinical studies and statistics have proven that in a large majority of babies with very serious abnormalities or narrowings in the great vessels leaving the heart, the four-chamber view of the heart may appear completely normal and flawless. If we think of the heart as a house, the rooms of the house may appear flawless in the four-chamber view, but there may be major blockages at the main doors opening to the outside or doors opening in the wrong direction. In fetal echocardiography, the focus is not only the chambers. The exact connection points of the thick and thin vessels leaving the heart, the complex crossing angles of these vessels with each other, the structure of the valves, blood flow velocities measured in millimeters per second, and the direction of blood movement are scanned one by one, millimeter by millimeter. These vital anatomical details, which can easily be missed in standard examinations, are clearly revealed through in-depth scans performed by specialists in the field.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Most_Appropriate_Timing_for_Examination_and_the_Heart_Examination_Techniques_Used\"><\/span>What Are the Most Appropriate Timing for Examination and the Heart Examination Techniques Used?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The medically most ideal period for fetal echocardiographic evaluation, when the clearest images are obtained, is between the 18th and 24th weeks of pregnancy. These weeks were not chosen by chance; during this period, all basic structures of the heart have grown and matured enough to be clearly distinguished by ultrasound. At the same time, the baby\u2019s ribs and spinal bones have not yet hardened enough to block ultrasound sound waves or create shadowing. The amount of amniotic fluid around the baby also provides an excellent acoustic window for the transmission of sound waves. However, in cases of high-risk pregnancy, if the expectant mother has a history of heart disease in previous babies or if a genetic risk has been detected, highly reliable information about the main outlines of the heart and vessel outflows can be obtained even from the eleventh week of pregnancy using today\u2019s very high-frequency advanced devices.<\/p>\n<p>The basic imaging methods used during fetal echocardiography are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound<\/li>\n<li>Color Doppler flow mapping<\/li>\n<li>Spectral Doppler velocity measurement<\/li>\n<li>Motion-focused M-mode examination<\/li>\n<li>High-resolution regional magnification<\/li>\n<li>Square velocity optimization technology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>During imaging, while the fleshy walls, septa, and valves composed of very thin membranes of the heart are examined on a black-and-white high-resolution screen, color and sound technologies are activated to calculate the dynamics, direction, and speed of the blood inside the heart and to create a complete hemodynamic map.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Critical_Heart_Structures_Are_Examined_in_Detailed_Imaging_Sections\"><\/span>Which Critical Heart Structures Are Examined in Detailed Imaging Sections?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Heart examination is extremely complex because of the three-dimensional and constantly moving structure of the organ. Therefore, random images are not taken during evaluation; standardized views are obtained by cutting the heart in imaginary planes, just like slicing bread, to examine specific regions of the heart. Each section is specifically designed to confirm a particular chamber of the heart, the vessel emerging from that chamber, or the position of that vessel within the body. The first step is to confirm that the chambers are equal in size, that the wall between them is complete, and that the valves open and close without problems. However, the truly critical stage is the outflow tract sections where the vessels are examined. Whether the aortic vessel arises from the left side, whether the pulmonary artery originates from the right side, and whether these two vessels are parallel to each other or cross as they normally should are evaluated millimetrically. In special sections taken from the upper parts of the heart, the arrangement of the vessels going to the neck and arms, their relationship with the trachea, and the size differences between them are scanned.<\/p>\n<p>The standard anatomical planes used to evaluate the heart in the womb are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Four-chamber<\/li>\n<li>Left ventricular outflow tract<\/li>\n<li>Right ventricular outflow tract<\/li>\n<li>Three-vessel view<\/li>\n<li>Trachea and vessel junction<\/li>\n<li>Aortic arch view<\/li>\n<li>Pulmonary branching points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Tetralogy_of_Fallot_Blue_Baby_Disease_and_How_Is_It_Diagnosed\"><\/span>What Is Tetralogy of Fallot (Blue Baby Disease) and How Is It Diagnosed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic condition worldwide among congenital heart diseases that cause severe bluish discoloration in babies. The word tetralogy in the name of the disease refers to the presence of exactly four different structural defects in the heart at the same time, as a package. The first problem underlying this complex anatomical disorder is the presence of a large hole (VSD) between the right and left ventricles of the heart. The second problem is that the large aortic vessel, which should carry clean blood to the entire body, has shifted from its normal location in the left ventricle and is positioned directly over this large hole, as if straddling it. Because of this malposition, the aortic vessel draws not only clean blood from the left side but also dirty blood coming from the right side and causes mixed blood to be pumped to the body. The third and most important problem determining the severity of the disease is the presence of a very serious narrowing at the origin or valve of the vessel going from the right ventricle to the lungs. Insufficient blood flow to the lungs means that the baby\u2019s blood cannot be adequately oxygenated and therefore the baby becomes cyanotic. The fourth finding is the excessive thickening over time of the right ventricular muscle, which tries to pump blood through a narrow area. In examinations performed during the fetal period, the most striking finding on the device screen is the clear visualization of the thick, displaced aortic vessel sitting over the large hole in the heart. The narrowing in the vessel going to the lung may gradually increase over months in the womb and reach the point of complete obstruction. Therefore, expectant mothers diagnosed with this condition are followed very closely until delivery with special ultrasounds that measure blood flow velocities, and the course of the narrowing is monitored step by step.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Transposition_of_the_Great_Arteries_Vessel_Reversal_Develop\"><\/span>How Does Transposition of the Great Arteries (Vessel Reversal) Develop?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Transposition of the Great Arteries is an anatomical abnormality in which the outflow tubes of the heart are connected completely incorrectly and can lead to extremely dramatic consequences. In a healthy circulatory system, the left side of the heart receives oxygen-rich clean blood and pumps this blood to the brain and all organs through the aortic vessel. The right side of the heart collects used oxygen-poor dirty blood from the body and sends it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery to be cleaned. In transposition, however, these two vital vessels have completely switched places. The aortic vessel arises from the right side, while the pulmonary artery arises from the left side. As a result of this incorrect connection, two closed loops are formed in the body, running parallel to each other and never mixing. Dirty blood returning from the body to the heart is pumped back to the entire body through the aortic vessel instead of going to the lungs to be cleaned. Fresh blood cleaned in the lungs, instead of going to the body, exits from the left side and returns to the lungs again. This terrible situation does not create a problem while the baby is in the womb, because the blood coming from the placenta mixes through the natural temporary openings in the heart and keeps the baby alive. However, at the moment of birth, with the baby\u2019s first breath, these natural temporary openings quickly begin to close. When the openings close, there is nowhere for the blood to mix, and suddenly zero-oxygen blood begins to go to the baby\u2019s body. Detecting this disease in fetal scans requires experience because the lower chambers of the heart appear completely normal. The diagnosis is made when expert eyes notice that the vessels do not form the normal crossing pattern and that both vessels emerge from the heart like two completely parallel columns.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Double_Outlet_Right_Ventricle_and_Truncus_Arteriosus_Conditions\"><\/span>What Are Double Outlet Right Ventricle and Truncus Arteriosus Conditions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Double outlet right ventricle occurs when a major shift takes place in the positioning of the vessels on the heart during embryological development. Normally, both the aortic vessel and the pulmonary artery, which should exit separately from the right and left chambers, largely exit from the right chamber of the heart. This condition is invariably accompanied by a large hole between the chambers of the heart, and the blood in the left chamber can exit only through this hole. The distance of this hole in the heart to the vessels and the position of the vessels relative to each other determine how the disease will progress after birth and which surgical techniques will be used.<\/p>\n<p>Truncus arteriosus is a much rarer condition that occurs as a result of complete arrest at a very early stage of the heart\u2019s developmental steps. Normally, a vessel in the form of a single thick tube should be divided into two by a septum in the middle to form the aorta and pulmonary artery. However, in this disease, separation never occurs. A huge vessel exits the heart as a single trunk, and all blood coming from both chambers rushes into this single vessel. This wide vessel then tries to distribute blood to the lungs and other organs by giving branches from within itself.<\/p>\n<p>The main problems that disrupt heart mechanics in these severe conditions are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Presence of a single-trunk main vessel<\/li>\n<li>Large opening between the chambers<\/li>\n<li>Mixed and uncontrolled blood flow<\/li>\n<li>Deformation of valve leaflets<\/li>\n<li>Excessive pressure in the pulmonary vessels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Doppler_Ultrasonography_Absolutely_Necessary_in_Heart_Examination\"><\/span>Why Is Doppler Ultrasonography Absolutely Necessary in Heart Examination?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Being able to clearly see the fleshy tissues, membranes, and cavities of the heart in black and white on the ultrasound device screen is the first step to understanding the anatomical structure, but it is never sufficient. The heart is not a static organ; it contains a fluid dynamic that constantly moves, changes direction, and accelerates under high pressure. Doppler ultrasonography technology is an invaluable tool that reveals the physical properties of this invisible blood flow. Flow maps appearing in red and blue on the screen instantly show the direction in which the blood is moving and whether there is any leakage in the septa inside the heart. However, much more important than the colors is the speed of the blood. In regions where the main vessels leaving the heart narrow, the flow velocity of blood increases tremendously according to physical laws. For example, if blood expected to flow at a speed of sixty centimeters per second at a certain week of pregnancy is measured as gushing at one hundred and fifty centimeters per second in the valve region, it is mathematically proven that there is a very severe and critical narrowing in that region. In addition, detecting that blood flow in the baby\u2019s temporary vessels in the womb has reversed backward is a very vital sign showing that one side of the heart is completely blocked and that the blood has found an entirely different route to survive.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Genetic_Conditions_May_Accompany_Heart_Anomalies\"><\/span>Which Genetic Conditions May Accompany Heart Anomalies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When a complex outflow tract or vessel abnormality is detected in the baby\u2019s heart, the examination should not remain limited to the heart; the entire body should be placed under the microscope, so to speak. The development of the human embryo consists of incredibly interconnected chain reactions, and the faulty genetic code that forms the heart may also cause an organ in a completely different part of the body to form incorrectly. When statistical data are examined, a very significant portion of fetuses found to have conotruncal structural defects in the heart also have other systemic abnormalities or chromosomal disorders that have nothing to do with the heart. Especially in single vessel outflow or aortic vessel disorders, the first genetic suspicion that comes to mind is DiGeorge syndrome. This genetic syndrome occurs when a very small piece of the twenty-second chromosome is missing.<\/p>\n<p>Other physical and genetic findings that frequently accompany heart anomalies are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Absence of the thymus gland<\/li>\n<li>Decrease in the defense system against microbes<\/li>\n<li>Kidney cysts or deficiencies<\/li>\n<li>Diaphragm muscle hernias<\/li>\n<li>Spinal bone curvatures<\/li>\n<li>Cleft palate and lip<\/li>\n<li>Differences in fingers and toes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In particular, the inability to visualize the thymus gland, which is a very critical organ for the development of the immune system, in the neck region on the ultrasound screen is the clearest prenatal indicator of DiGeorge syndrome. Since babies born with this syndrome may experience crises due to severe calcium deficiency and very serious infection risks after birth, knowing the condition before birth and taking precautions is of vital importance.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Birth_Planning_and_the_Process_Progress_After_Diagnosis\"><\/span>How Does Birth Planning and the Process Progress After Diagnosis?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When a critical conotruncal disorder is diagnosed in the baby\u2019s heart as a result of detailed examinations, from that moment on the medical process completely changes shape and a broad team of specialists becomes involved. The family is informed in a completely transparent, realistic, and understandable language about what the condition they are facing is, what may happen during the rest of the pregnancy, the risks at the time of birth, and the series of surgeries awaiting the baby after birth. If a genetic disease is suspected, advanced genetic screenings such as cord blood sampling or amniocentesis may be planned to learn the definitive situation. However, the most vital stage in this entire process is undoubtedly planning where and how the delivery will take place. Babies with critical heart anomalies absolutely cannot be delivered in an ordinary hospital. A large proportion of these babies depend on the thin vessels that are open in the womb but programmed to close immediately after birth staying open in order to survive. If this vessel closes at the moment of birth, the baby enters a severe oxygen deprivation crisis within minutes. Therefore, birth planning requires very specific conditions.<\/p>\n<p>The vital components that must absolutely be present in the delivery room and the relevant center are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fully equipped neonatal intensive care unit<\/li>\n<li>Pediatric cardiovascular surgery team<\/li>\n<li>Vessel-opening Prostaglandin infusion medications<\/li>\n<li>Advanced neonatal ventilators<\/li>\n<li>Emergency cardiac catheterization laboratory<\/li>\n<li>Portable echocardiography devices specific to babies<\/li>\n<li>And an experienced team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From the very first moment the birth takes place, the baby is quickly taken to intensive care, and the necessary drug infusions are immediately started through the vascular route, securing the circulatory system. Depending on the baby\u2019s weight, the general condition of the organs, and the exact structure of the anomaly, extremely advanced surgical operations such as closing the holes in the heart, widening the narrowings, or surgically cutting the vessels connected in reverse and suturing them into their correct places are performed within a few days to a few months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The diagnosis of critical conotruncal anomalies in fetal echocardiography enables the prenatal detection of structural disorders of the outflow tracts of the great arteries. Early and accurate diagnosis reduces the risk of postnatal hemodynamic instability and allows planned delivery in an appropriate center and timely surgical preparation. Early diagnosis of conotruncal defects in fetal echocardiography [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=963"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3077,"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963\/revisions\/3077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cansaran.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}