RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Fetal echocardiography is the main modality of prenatal diagnosis of CHD. This study was done to describe the trends and benefits associated with prenatal diagnosis of complex CHD at a tertiary care centre. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with complex CHD over an 18-year period was performed. Rates of prenatal detection along with early and late infant mortality outcomes were studied. RESULTS: Of 381 complex CHD patients born during the study period, 68.8% were diagnosed prenatally. Prenatal detection rate increased during the study period from low-50s in the first quarter to mid-80s in the last quarter (p=0.001). Rate of detection of conotruncal anomalies increased over the study period. No infant mortality benefit was noted with prenatal detection. CONCLUSIONS: Improved obstetrical screening indications and techniques have contributed to higher proportions of prenatal diagnosis of complex CHD. However, prenatal diagnosis did not confer survival benefits in infancy in our study.