Is the anomaly scan enough to check the heart?

Not always. The anomaly scan gives a general look at the heart, but it may miss subtle or complex issues that a foetal echo can catch.

Are foetal echo and anomaly scan the same?

No, they’re different. The anomaly scan checks your baby’s overall development, while the foetal echo focuses specifically on the heart.

Why do doctors suggest foetal echoes?

It’s suggested to detect heart defects, especially if there’s a family history of heart issues, maternal health conditions, or other risk factors.

Anomaly Scan Vs Foetal Echo: Tracking Baby’s Growth and Heart

When you’re expecting, the journey is full of new experiences, medical terms, and tests. Two important scans you might hear about are the anomaly scan and the foetal echocardiogram (foetal echo). Both are important tools your doctor uses to check your baby’s development, but they serve different purposes.

The anomaly scan is usually a standard part of prenatal care, something most expecting parents undergo. It helps your doctor get a detailed look at how your baby is growing and developing overall. The foetal echo, on the other hand, is more specialised. It focuses mainly on your baby’s heart and its structure. Knowing the difference can help you feel more prepared.

What is an Anomaly Scan?

An anomaly scan is often called a level II ultrasound or 20-week scan. It is a detailed ultrasound done between 19 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. This scan is like a full-body check-up for your baby that gives doctors a clear picture of how they are developing.

What Does the Anomaly Scan Check?

The anomaly scan is all about examining your baby’s anatomy and growth. This is what it focuses on:

Organs: Checks the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, spine, and more to make sure they’re forming correctly.
Limbs and skeletal structure: Looks at arms, legs, and bones to confirm they’re developing as expected.
Face: Screens for issues like cleft lip or other facial abnormalities.
Placenta and amniotic fluid: Ensures the placenta is in the right position and there’s enough fluid around your baby.
Baby’s size and position: Measures growth to confirm your baby is on track for their gestational age.
Structural abnormalities: Detects conditions like neural tube defects or other physical issues.

Limitations of the Anomaly Scan

The anomaly scan is thorough, but it’s not perfect. Your baby’s heart is tiny and beats very fast (about 110 to 160 beats per minute), which can make it difficult to detect subtle heart problems. The accuracy also depends on the equipment and the expertise of the person performing the scan. Some minor or complex heart issues might not show up clearly, which is where a foetal echo comes in.

What is a Foetal Echocardiogram (Foetal Echo)?

A foetal echo is a specialised ultrasound that zooms in on your baby’s heart. It’s usually done between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, and is performed by a trained foetal medicine specialist or pediatric cardiologist. Unlike the anomaly scan, which looks at the whole body, the foetal echo is all about getting a detailed view of your baby’s heart.

What Does the Foetal Echo Check?

The foetal echo focuses specifically on the heart and its functions. It examines:

Heart chambers and valves: Make sure they’re forming properly and working as they should.
Blood flow: Checks the patterns of blood moving through the heart and major blood vessels (arteries and veins).
Heart rhythm and rate: Confirms the heartbeat is normal and there are no irregularities (arrhythmias).
Structural issues: Looks for congenital heart defects like ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), transposition of the great arteries (TGA), or hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

This scan provides a much clearer and more detailed picture of the heart compared to the anomaly scan.

How is a Foetal Echo Performed?

Similar to the anomaly scan, a foetal echo is non-invasive and uses sound waves. A gel is applied to your abdomen, and a high-frequency probe is used to capture detailed images of your baby’s heart. The images appear on a screen for the doctor to study. Because the heart beats so quickly, the scan uses advanced technology to take clear pictures of it in real time.

Are Anomaly Scan and Foetal Echo Safe for You and Baby?

Yes, both the scans are absolutely safe. They use sound waves to create images, not radiation, so there’s no risk involved. Though foetal echo may take a bit longer than a regular ultrasound due to the detailed focus on the heart.

Why Might You Need a Foetal Echo After a Normal Anomaly Scan?

You might be wondering, “If my anomaly scan is normal, why would I need a foetal echo?” A normal anomaly scan is great news, but it doesn’t always rule out heart problems. The heart is complex and some issues are too subtle to be caught during a routine scan. These are the main reasons why your doctor might recommend a foetal echo, even if your anomaly scan looks fine:

Family history of heart defects: If you, your partner, or a close family member has a congenital heart defect, your baby might be at higher risk.
Maternal health conditions: Certain conditions in the mother can increase the risk of heart problems in the baby, such as diabetes, phenylketonuria, or rubella infection during pregnancy.
Medications taken during pregnancy: Some drugs are linked to a higher risk of heart defects.
Subtle findings in the anomaly scan: Even if the scan is mostly normal, small signs like a slightly unusual view of the heart, increased nuchal translucency (extra fluid at the back of the neck), or fluid accumulation (hydrops fetalis) might require further checks.
Chromosomal or genetic conditions: A foetal echo is often recommended if tests like NIPT, CVS, or amniocentesis show conditions like Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, or other genetic issues
Twin or multiple pregnancies: Twins, especially those sharing a placenta (monochorionic twins), have a higher risk of heart issues or conditions like twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).
in vitro fertilisation (IVF) pregnancies: Babies conceived through IVF may have a slightly higher chance of heart defects, so a foetal echo is sometimes advised as a precaution.
Maternal exposure to infections: Infections like rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), toxoplasmosis, Zikabrokerage, or parvovirus B19 in early pregnancy can affect heart development.

Why Early Detection Matters

A foetal echo can pick up heart conditions that the anomaly scan might miss. Catching these early allows for:

Better delivery planning: Babies with heart issues may need to be born in a hospital with neonatal cardiac care.
Timely treatment: Early diagnosis can prevent complications after birth.
Parental preparation: It gives you time to understand and prepare for your baby’s needs.
Improved outcomes: Prenatal diagnosis often leads to better medical care and results for the baby.

Anomaly scans and foetal echoes are safe, non-invasive, and designed to give you and your doctor the information needed to plan the best care for your baby. If your doctor recommends a foetal echo, there’s no need to worry. It’s just an extra step to make sure everything is on track.

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FAQs on How Ultrasound Scans Keep a Track of Your Baby’s Growth and Heart Health

Is the anomaly scan enough to check the heart?
Not always. The anomaly scan gives a general look at the heart, but it may miss subtle or complex issues that a foetal echo can catch.
Are foetal echo and anomaly scan the same?
No, they’re different. The anomaly scan checks your baby’s overall development, while the foetal echo focuses specifically on the heart.
Why do doctors suggest foetal echoes?
It’s suggested to detect heart defects, especially if there’s a family history of heart issues, maternal health conditions, or other risk factors.