2d echo test in newborn baby

One of the best ways to ensure your newborn baby’s healthy development of the heart is to perform the 2d echo test when your baby is around one month old if there are indications. This non-invasive test will allow you and your doctor to examine your baby’s heart and the heart-related structures like the aorta and pulmonary artery. Here’s what you need to know about this vital test and how it benefits your newborn baby.

Knowing what to expect from your 2d echo test can help you prepare for the experience and better understand what the results mean—whether they’re normal or not. It’s important to note that your insurance company may not cover the 2d echo test, so keep this in mind when scheduling the appointment.

What is a 2d echo test?

 

The 2d echo test is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to create an image of your baby’s heart and major blood vessels.

 

When is 2d echo needed in newborns?

 

When it comes to your newborn baby, you want to take every precaution to ensure the health of your little one. Your doctor will conduct physical examinations to ensure that your baby’s heart and lungs work correctly. When he doubts the heart problem, he advises one test that could ensure any issues are caught as soon as possible—the 2d echo test.

 

Uses of 2d echo test in newborn baby

 

2d echo test can provide your doctor with a wealth of information about your developing baby’s heart health. More importantly, this test can reassure you that everything is developing correctly inside the heart and that your baby’s heart is in good health.

 

When to get a 2d echo test on newborn

 

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent birth abnormality, accounting for about 1% of all birth defects. Although many newborns with Congenital heart disease are symptomatic and diagnosed shortly after delivery, unfortunately, some are not diagnosed until they have been discharged.2d echo test is done to diagnose congenital heart disease in the baby.

2d echo test has to be done in newborns with the following symptoms

 

1. Feeding difficulties: Parents of affected newborn infants frequently report feeding difficulties. This can show up as a limited amount of milk consumed or feedings that take too long or are commonly interrupted by sleeping or resting, choking, gagging, or vomiting.
2. Breathing difficulties: Fast or harsh breathing, breathing that gets worse with feedings, or persistent cough or wheeze are all signs of Congenital heart disease.
3. Cyanosis: cyanosis results in a bluish skin tone in the baby. Bluish discoloration often gets aggravated by crying
4. Excessive irritation with no apparent cause
5. Excessive sweating that worsens with food and might happen when sleeping
6. Poor weight gain: Sometimes, a newborn baby will gain weight more slowly than they should.
7. Excessive slumber or decreased activity
8. Delayed motor milestones: Delayed rolling over, sitting, or walking are some manifestations of heart diseases in newborns.

Few newborns are at elevated risk of Congenital heart disease, and they need 2d echo screening even if they lack symptoms of heart disease.

 

1. Prematurity — Preterm (gestational age 37 weeks) infants have a two- to a threefold higher risk of Congenital heart disease
2. Family background – Infants with first-degree relatives (parents or siblings) who have Congenital heart disease are three to four times more likely to have Congenital heart disease
3. Genetic disorders — Many genetic diseases have been linked to an elevated risk of coronary heart disease.
4. Extracardiac abnormalities—Many Extracardiac abnormalities are associated with an elevated risk of coronary heart disease.
5. Factors affecting mothers — Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, phenylketonuria, thyroid disorders, systemic connective tissue disorders, and epilepsy may raise the baby’s risk of congenital heart disease.
6. Certain drugs, smoking, and/or alcohol consumption during pregnancy have been linked to heart abnormalities in the baby.
7. Fertility treatment—Septal defects and cyanotic Congenital heart disease have been associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) and non-ART fertility therapies.
8. In utero infection — A higher risk of Congenital heart disease is linked to rubella, maternal influenza, or flu-like sickness during pregnancy. Infection with CMV, coxsackievirus, herpesvirus 6, parvovirus B19, herpes simplex, toxoplasmosis, and perhaps HIV can cause congenital cardiomyopathy.

Heart diseases picked up by 2d echo test in the newborn period

 

Congenital heart disease abnormalities that are most commonly identified during the first few days after birth are:

• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
• Valvular aortic stenosis (AS)
• Critical coarctation of the aorta or CoA
• Interrupted aortic arch
• Tetralogy of Fallot or TOF
• Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia
• Pulmonary atresia with the intact interventricular septum
• Critical pulmonic stenosis (PS)
• Tricuspid atresia
• Severe neonatal Ebstein anomaly
• Transposition of the great arteries
• TAPVC -total anomalous pulmonary venous connection
• Large VSD/ventricular septal defect
• AV canal defect
• Truncus arteriosus

These all defects are detected  by a 2d echo test

Congenital heart disease abnormalities that most commonly escaped identification during the first week are:

• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome or HLHS
• COA or coarctation of the aorta
• Interrupted aortic arch
• Aortic stenosis or AS
• Transposition of the great arteries or TGA
• Pulmonic stenosis or PS
• Tetralogy of Fallot or TOF
• Atrial septal defect
• Ventricular septal defect or VSD
• PDA
• Tetrology of Fallot or VSD

2d echo test can pick all of them

What is the cost of a 2d echo test for a newborn?

The cost varies from center to center. The cost of a 2d echo test for newborns is 1500 rupees at DM heart clinic. Corporate hospitals charge even up to 3000 rupees. Our pediatric cardiologist has done thousands of echocardiograms on kids.