[Specific and nonspecific fetal cardiac problems].

Data base of our Department for Diagnosis & Prophylaxis of Congenital Malformations Research Institute Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital was analyzed for 1994-2001, including 7047 fetal echocardiographic examinations in 5196 fetuses. In 1861 pregnant women at least one congenital malformation was diagnosed. There were 68% of low risk pregnancies and 32% of high risk pregnancies. The majority of fetal malformations were central nervous system malformations (25%) and congenital heart defects (23%). Fetal cardiac anomalies were analyzed both in singleton and multiple pregnancies. The most common fetal cardiac anomalies similar to postnatal life were congenital heart defects (8%), tricuspid valve regurgitation in normal heart anatomy (6%) and fetal arrhythmias (6%). The most common cardiac anomalies specific for fetal life were cardiac anomalies due to non-immunological hydrops fetalis (4.2%) and functional tricuspid valve regurgitation due to maternal pharmacotherapy or fetal infection (3.2%), other rare anomalies were: ectopia cordis, relative cardiomegaly and premature ductus arteriosus closure. There were also other sporadic specific for fetal life cardiac anomalies. The most common cardiac anomalies in twin pregnancies was twin to twin transfusion syndrome (10%), the other are cardiac problems in conjoined twins.