Since the inception of the program in 1989, more than 3,100 women have undergone fetal cardiac evaluation. Through the fetal cardiology program, the diagnosis of significant fetal cardiac problems can be made as early as 15 weeks gestation, and new techniques are currently being developed to make definitive diagnosis even earlier. Fetal cardiology involves evaluating the fetus for congenital heart disease and helps physicians manage fetal cardiac function in cases where the baby may be predisposed to abnormal heart function even though the heart is anatomically normal. The fetal cardiology team collaborates on a daily basis with staff from reproductive genetics, high-risk obstetrics, ultrasound and neonatology. On a monthly basis, the staff meets with physicians from neurology, urology, neurosurgery and pediatric surgery.
Maternal cardiology involves the management of heart problems during pregnancy.
To date, the maternal cardiology program at Children's and Magee-Womens has treated more than 200 pregnant women, many of whom have congenital heart disease. Nearly all of the patients in the maternal cardiology program are managed jointly with the Division of High-Risk Obstetrics. During labor and delivery, these patients are cared for in the Perinatal Special Care Unit at Magee-Womens Hospital where they can be monitored closely.