1. The evolution of fetal echocardiography before and during COVID-19
- Author
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Richard Lorber, Priya Nigam, Shubhika Srivastava, and Sharon Weinberger
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Article ,World health ,Appropriate Use Criteria ,Maternal-fetal medicine ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,030225 pediatrics ,Pandemic ,medicine ,Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health ,Critical congenital heart disease ,Intensive care medicine ,health care economics and organizations ,Fetal echocardiography ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,COVID-19 ,Risk factors ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Indications ,Fetal tele-echocardiography ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Shared responsibility ,business - Abstract
The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, a pandemic in March 2020. Given the severity of COVID-19, appropriate use criteria have been implemented for fetal echocardiography. Screening low risk pregnancies for critical congenital heart disease has typically been a shared responsibility by pediatric cardiologists, obstetricians, and maternal fetal medicine (MFM). Currently, many of the fetal echocardiograms for low risk pregnancies for critical congenital heart disease have been deferred or cancelled with the emphasis on suspected abnormalities by MFMs and obstetricians. In this review, we discuss the literature that has been the basis of screening of low risk pregnancies by pediatric cardiologists. A new approach to more widespread usage of fetal tele-echocardiography may play a large part during COVID-19 and may continue after the pandemic., Highlights • Appropriate use criteria for fetal echocardiography have been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Pediatric cardiologists have deferred fetal echo for low risk pregnancies, emphasizing those with suspected abnormalities. • Current fetal echo guidelines highlight maternal, familial, and fetal risk factors, and the associated incidence of CHD. • Fetal tele-echocardiography and telehealth consultation may enhance the ability to provide care during and beyond COVID-19.
- Published
- 2020
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