Procedure
   Specialized ultrasound devoted to the fetal heart

Timing
   22.0-2.9 weeks gestation

Miscarriage Risk
   NONE

When this technique is used with duplex or color flow Doppler, it can identify a number of major structural cardiac defects and rhythm disturbances. Fetal echocardiography is recommended in cases where cardiac defects are suspected, including the following:

• Suspected genetic disease or fetal chromosome abnormality associated with heart defects
• Exposure to potentially teratogenic agents
• Family history of congenital heart defects, particularly in a parent or sibling
• Maternal diseases, such as diabetes or phenylketonuria associated with fetal structural heart defects, in particular heart blocks, such as lupus or other immune disorders