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Treatment

Fetal Echocardiography

Fetal echocardiography (echo) uses sound waves to check the heart of your developing baby.

Fetal echo can help find heart defects before birth. If a heart problem can be found early, the more likely treatment will work. This is because:

  • Healthcare providers may be able to treat the problem before birth, in some cases. 
  • Healthcare providers can get ready for problems that may happen during labor and delivery. 
  • An early delivery can be scheduled.
  • Once the baby is born, treatment may be done. This might be medicine or surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why might I need fetal echo?

What are the risks of fetal echo?

How do I get ready for fetal echo?

What happens during fetal echo?

What happens after fetal echo?

High-Risk Prenatal Care at Children's National Hospital

The exerts in the Prenatal Pediatrics Institute are dedicated to helping babies get the best possible start in life. Discover more about the treatments we offer.

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Providers of Fetal Echocardiography

Departments that Offer Fetal Echocardiography

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Prenatal Cardiology Program

Children diagnosed with heart conditions before they are born receive comprehensive, expert care from our fetal cardiology specialists. Learn more about our Prenatal Cardiology Program.

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Cardiac Imaging

We have expertise in the full spectrum of cardiac imaging, including transesophageal, prenatal, 3-D, intracardiac, and stress echocardiography and cardiac MRI.