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Issues related to prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease

Joanne Fioravanti1

  • 1Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester School of Nursing, USA. Joanne_Fioravanti@urmc.rochester.edu

Neonatal Network : NN
|September 21, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is increasingly common. This guide covers diagnosis, family impact, ethical issues, and the crucial role of nurses in supporting families through this journey.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Diagnostics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Advances in medical technology and specialized expertise enhance prenatal diagnosis capabilities.
  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) is increasingly detected before birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the process of prenatal diagnosis of CHD.
  • To explore the personal, ethical, and legal issues families face upon diagnosis.
  • To review the role of nurses in supporting affected families.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on prenatal CHD diagnosis.
  • Analysis of ethical and legal considerations.
  • Inclusion of family vignettes to illustrate experiences.
  • Discussion of nursing implications across obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric settings.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal diagnosis of CHD is becoming more frequent due to technological and expertise advancements.
  • Families encounter significant personal, ethical, and legal challenges upon receiving a prenatal CHD diagnosis.
  • Nurses play a vital role in educating, supporting, and guiding families through treatment options and ongoing care.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal diagnosis of CHD requires comprehensive family support.
  • Ethical and legal frameworks are essential for managing prenatal diagnoses.
  • Nurses are critical in providing holistic care for families facing prenatal CHD.
  • Further research is needed to optimize care and support for these families.

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