Fetal Heart Program

The fetal heart program at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital works closely with families whose children have been diagnosed with a heart defect before birth.

Request an Appointment

For all requests:

1-888-573-5437

Our team coordinates services from prenatal evaluation, initial diagnosis, and education, to delivery, cardiac surgery, and ongoing care. Our goal is to provide a smooth transition from pregnancy to newborn care.

As part of Iowa’s only comprehensive congenital heart disease program, our team provides specialized care for both mother and baby during pregnancy and after delivery. Once a heart defect is diagnosed, pediatric heart doctors, pediatric heart surgeons, and UI Health Care obstetricians work together to plan the best delivery and care options for you and your baby.

Fetal Echocardiograms

A fetal echocardiogram is a special test performed during the pregnancy to look at the position, size, structure, function, and rhythm of an unborn baby’s heart. This test can lead to early diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Research shows that early detection of fetal congenital heart disease improves outcomes for your baby due to immediate access to medical and surgical care (if needed) after birth.

Fetal echocardiograms are recommended if any of the following indicators are found:

Family history of congenital heart disease
Abnormal general fetal ultrasound suggesting heart disease or rhythm abnormality
Other birth defect(s)
Increased nuchal translucency
Abnormal maternal serum screening
Maternal diseases such as diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome
Certain maternal medications
Monochorionic twins (mono/mono, and mono/di)

Learn more about high-risk obstetrics.

Congenital heart defect indicator: Nuchal translucency

Nuchal Translucency is the fluid in the area behind the neck of all babies when they are in the womb. This size of this fluid is called nuchal translucency (NT). The reason why some babies have more fluid behind their neck than others is not known. What we do know is:

A baby in the mother’s womb that has normal chromosomes, but more fluid behind the neck, has a higher chance for congenital heart disease.

The more abnormal the NT measurement is, the higher the risk for a major congenital heart defect.