PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF OSTIUM-SECUNDUM ATRIAL SEPTAL-DEFECT BY M-MODE FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Advances in fetal echocardiography enable the prenatal diagnosis of a vast majority of congenital heart defects. On the other hand, ostium s ecundum atrial septal defect is difficult to diagnose in the fetus. al though a defect of minor clinical significance, this may be the only i ntrauterine finding of a chromosomal anomaly, We documented an abnorma l oscillatory pattern of the foramen ovale flap motion by M-mode fetal echocardiography in 2 fetuses with ostium secundum atrial septal defe ct, This may be a more consistent finding for the prenatal diagnosis o f ostium secundum atrial septal defect than the previously reported bi directional flow across the foramen ovale on color Doppler sonography.