Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Birmingham Women's Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Acta Paediatr. 2012 Aug;101(8):e333-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02687.x. Epub 2012 Apr 24.
To review the findings and outcomes of predischarge echocardiography service for postnatal heart murmurs provided by neonatologists.
We retrospectively reviewed all predischarge echocardiograms performed on babies from the postnatal wards (PNW) over the last 3 years. We evaluated the indications, median age, findings and outcome.
A total of 408 echocardiograms were performed on 350 babies on the PNW. The most common indication was presence of a murmur (58%). In babies with a heart murmur, 26% had a normal echocardiogram, 2% had major structural heart defects, 38% had minor structural heart defects and 34% had transient circulatory changes. 32% were discharged with no follow-up, 28% were followed up in the local cardiac clinic and 40% were referred to the cardiologist.
Predischarge echocardiography service for postnatal heart murmurs provided by neonatologists has the benefit of providing an early diagnosis, counselling of the parents and arranging appropriate follow-up. It helps to triage the referrals to the cardiologist. We felt that we were able to alleviate parental anxieties by providing a definitive diagnosis and written information prior to discharge from hospital. We strongly believe that this service should only be provided by those appropriately trained and skilled in echocardiography.
回顾新生儿科医生为新生儿期心脏杂音提供的出院前超声心动图服务的结果。
我们回顾性分析了过去 3 年来在产后病房（PNW）进行的所有婴儿出院前超声心动图。我们评估了其适应证、中位年龄、检查结果和结局。
共有 350 名 PNW 婴儿进行了 408 次超声心动图检查。最常见的适应证是心脏杂音（58%）。在有心脏杂音的婴儿中，26%的超声心动图正常，2%有严重的结构性心脏病，38%有轻微的结构性心脏病，34%有短暂的循环变化。32%的婴儿出院时无需随访，28%在当地心脏诊所随访，40%被转诊给心脏病专家。
新生儿科医生为新生儿期心脏杂音提供的出院前超声心动图服务具有早期诊断、家长咨询和安排适当随访的优势。它有助于将转诊到心脏病专家的病例进行分诊。我们认为，通过在出院前提供明确的诊断和书面信息，可以减轻家长的焦虑。我们强烈认为，这项服务应由经过适当培训和具备超声心动图技能的人员提供。
