Z-Score in Fetal Echocardiography–Is there Still Room for New Studies?

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect, representing a significant cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of such anomalies is crucial for improving outcomes. Current protocols recommend a qualitative assessment of cardiac structures using two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) and color Doppler imaging. In cases of suspected abnormalities, quantitative assessments through cardiac structure measurements and reference curves can aid in accurate diagnosis. Similar to centiles widely employed in obstetrics, Z-scores provide more precise quantification of various cardiac structures, particularly at the extremes of the curve. While the development of reference curves and Z-scores has progressed over the past two decades, a lack of standardization in measurements and statistical methodology for their determination is evident. Establishing reference curves requires adherence to specific recommendations to improve their accuracy. The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of the major studies that have generated reference values for cardiac structures using 2DUS and Z-scores, to evaluate their methodology, and to provide a summary of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]