Fetal Echocardiography

Board-certified cardiologists at Magee-Womens Imaging work closely with doctors at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC to provide fetal echocardiography services.

Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, we scan the hearts of:

  • Fetuses, in utero, for heart defects
  • Pregnant mothers, for heart disease

Similar to a standard ultrasound procedure, a technologist specializing in abdominal ultrasound applies a gel to the mother’s abdomen and a slides a transducer across, producing images of the baby’s or mother's heart.

Fetal echocardiography can help doctors understand the whole picture of a fetus that might have a chromosome problem or an isolated heart defect.

Who Should Have Fetal Echocardiography?

Expectant mothers should be referred for a fetal echocardiography exam between 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy if they have experienced or been diagnosed with:

  • Exposure to drugs and diseases during pregnancy
  • Family history of congenital heart disease (CHD)
  • Increased risk of Down syndrome
  • Chromosome abnormalities and CHD

Learn more about fetal echocardiography services at Children’s Hospital.

Contact Us

If you are an expectant mother and would like to schedule a fetal echocardiography exam, or for more information about our services, please call 412-641-4304.

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