Abstract
Background: Outcomes for fetuses with minor abnormal sonographic findings detected by fetal cardiac echocardiography remain unclear.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the minor abnormal sonographic findings in 1,753 fetuses （26.9 ± 2.2 weeks gestation） whose screening heart scans were performed by an obstetrician （Level I screening） and subsequently performed detailed fetal cardiac scans by a pediatric cardiologist （Level II screening） at our institute between May 2008 and May 2013. In this study, a minor abnormal sonographic finding was defined as slight valvular regurgitation and structural abnormalities with slight rhythm disorders, which could not affect fetal hemodynamic parameters.
Results: There were 11 cases of premature atrial contraction, 9 cases of mild tricuspid regurgitation （TR）, 1 cases of mild mitral regurgitation, 4 cases of mild pulmonary regurgitation, 3 cases of ductus arteriosus tortuosity, and 2 cases of mirror image dextrocardia. One case of TR gradually developed into mild to moderate regurgitation with mild cardiomegaly during follow-up and was diagnosed as an Ebstein anomaly without hypoplastic right ventricle after birth. All cases with the other sonographic findings, including the remaining 8 cases with TR, were recognized transiently or unchanged
Conclusions: Minor abnormal sonographic findings detected by fetal cardiac screening revealed mostly favorable outcomes, and there were no cases of specialized treatment. However, some may develop and become apparent later in gestation, so repeat follow-up fetal echocardiography should be required in order to confirm definite organic heart defect.
