Association of heart defects with genetic syndromes: utility in prenatal diagnosis

Abstract

Congenital heart diseases are a common cause of death in the neonatal stages and first year of life, but in association with genetics syndromes the possibility of survivor decreases in 70 percent. A review on the subject is carried out in order to broaden the interpretation of cardiac defects in the ultrasound diagnosis and the association with other malformations and genetic syndromes. In 85 % of cardiac defects there is evidence of the association to genetic syndromes and 15 % of them can be related to a monogenic inheritance or a chromosomal anomaly. These syndromes present other malformations visible in the ultrasound examination, which help prenatal diagnosis. Alagille, Down, Holt-Oram, DiGeorge, Costello Syndromes are associated with heart defects such as alterations in atrioventricular septation or outflow tracts. Reviewing this association we can make an accurate diagnosis and adequate advice for the couple who are facing such a situation.