Fetal Cardiac Anomalies at Anomaly Scan: Detection and Pregnancy Outcomes - Assiut 2026

Congenital heart defects are among the most common congenital anomalies and cause significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Prenatal detection allows counseling, multidisciplinary planning and optimization of delivery. This prospective observational cohort study will screen all pregnant women attending the Fetomaternal Unit, Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University for anomaly scan at 18+0 to 22+6 weeks gestation over 12 months. All cases with suspected or detected fetal cardiac anomalies will be consecutively recruited and followed antenatally until delivery and postnatally when possible. Primary outcome is frequency of fetal cardiac anomalies among screened fetuses. Secondary outcomes include frequency of each type of anomaly, NICU admission, need for neonatal cardiac surgery or intervention, and neonatal death. Data will be analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics and chi-square or Fisher exact test and t-test or Mann-Whitney as appropriate. P less than 0.05 is considered significant.

Inclusion Criteria:- * Gestational age between 18+0 and 22+6 weeks at the time of the anomaly scan * Singleton or multiple pregnancy * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Incomplete essential ultrasound or clinical information * Cases in which the initial cardiac assessment cannot be completed