Fetal Echocardiography (ECG) and Neural Tube Defect Screening
Fetal ECG is a specialized diagnostic test that examines the fetal heart rhythm and electrical activity in detail while the baby is still in the womb.
Neural tube defect (NTD) screening, on the other hand, is performed through fetal ultrasonography and measurement of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in the mother’s blood.
Therefore, fetal ECG is not used for the diagnosis of neural tube defects.
If a neural tube defect is suspected, a detailed ultrasound examination and the necessary maternal serum tests are recommended.
Neural tube defects are serious congenital conditions that occur during the early development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord.
Examples include spina bifida, encephalocele, and anencephaly.
When fetal ECG and advanced ultrasonography are performed together, they allow early detection and evaluation of these structural abnormalities.
What Are Brain and Central Nervous System Tube Defects?
A neural tube defect is an abnormality that occurs when the neural tube — which forms the baby’s brain and spinal cord — fails to close properly during the early weeks of pregnancy.
These conditions:
- Can threaten the baby’s life,
- May cause permanent neurological impairment,
- Often require surgical treatment after birth.
Early diagnosis provides families and physicians with essential information and allows for individualized care and treatment planning during pregnancy.
Why Is Fetal Echocardiography Important?
Through fetal ECG, physicians can:
- Detect cardiac rhythm disturbances and conduction abnormalities at an early stage,
- Evaluate heart activity in relation to fetal brain development,
- Identify the need for further testing in pregnancies at risk of neural tube defects,
- Plan prenatal interventions and a specialized delivery approach when necessary.
For these reasons, fetal echocardiography is considered an essential diagnostic tool in high-risk pregnancies.
