Teratogens and congenital heart disease

Abstract

The antenatal diagnosis of fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) allows for identification of potentially life-threatening conditions that may occur in the early neonatal period. A suspicion of congenital heart disease often occurs during the routine fetal anatomical survey. Subsequently, fetal echocardiography allows for a more detailed assessment of the cardiac lesion that is necessary in order to plan for delivery and postnatal surgical management. To enhance detection of congenital cardiac anomalies, and in particular ones that are potentially serious, it is important for the obstetrical sonographer to have an understanding of potential teratogenic agents associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease.