Advanced Diagnostics of
Your Child's Developing Heart
Every parent hopes their pregnancy will go as planned, without any problems. In most cases, they do. But there are times when even a developing baby needs uniquely specialized care. In these matters of the heart, the fetal cardiology team at AdventHealth for Children can step in to investigate potential cardiovascular problems. Working closely with your obstetrician or perinatologist alongside AdventHealth for Children's pediatric cardiology team, our specialists use the latest technological advances to take a close look at a child’s heart while they are still in the womb.
We’re here to help you find the right physician or a location that’s convenient for you.
Expert Compassionate Care for the Center of Your World
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We are privileged to partner with you, your family and your entire care team to support your baby’s individual needs before, during and after delivery.
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Our Programs
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- Anomalous pulmonary venous return
- Arrhythmias
- Atrial or ventricular septal defects
- Atrioventricular septal defects
- Aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation
- Cardiac tumors
- Coarctation or interruption of the aorta
- Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
- Double inlet left ventricle
- Double outlet right ventricle
- Ebstein’s anomaly
- Heterotaxy syndrome
- Hypoplastic left or right heart syndrome
- Maternal lupus/SSA disease
- Mitral valve stenosis or regurgitation
- Pericardial effusion
- Pulmonary valve atresia, stenosis, or regurgitation
- Shone’s syndrome
- Single ventricle congenital heart disease
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Tricuspid valve atresia, stenosis, or regurgitation
- Vascular rings
The Walt Disney Pavilion
The Walt Disney Pavilion at AdventHealth for Children is at the heart of AdventHealth Orlando and features inspiring themes and comforting characters to make children and families feel at ease throughout their stay.
- Hospital Map
- Our Neonatal ICU
- Our Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU
Fetal Cardiology
Getting Answers in Advance
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- What is a fetal echocardiogram?
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A fetal echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound test performed during pregnancy by the pediatric cardiology team to evaluate the heart of the unborn baby. The test is painless and normally takes less than an hour. As in routine ultrasound, gel is applied to the mother’s abdomen and the ultrasound transducer obtains images of the structures of the fetal heart. Like all ultrasounds, echocardiograms use sound waves to look at a fetus's developing heart. There is no radiation exposure and no known risk to the mother or baby.
Fetal echocardiography can help detect fetal heart abnormalities before birth. This makes it possible to prepare for medical or surgical intervention when the baby is born. Preparation improves the chance of a newborn's survival and lowers the rate of complications after delivery for babies with serious heart defects.
- When is a fetal echocardiogram necessary?
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Every pregnancy does not require an echocardiogram. Routine prenatal ultrasound tests women receive from their OB/GYN provide information about whether the chambers of the fetal heart are developing normally. Further testing, including fetal echocardiography, might be necessary if:
- A routine ultrasound shows abnormal heart development or abnormal heart rhythm
- There is a family history of congenital heart disease
- Another abnormality is discovered in the fetus
- There is a concern for a genetic abnormality or syndrome in the fetus
- The mother has certain medical diagnoses such as diabetes, phenylketonuria, or a connective tissue disorder, or lupus
- Assisted reproduction technology such as in vitro fertilization
- Certain types of twin pregnancies (monochorionic)
- Fetal heart is not seen clearly on the obstetric anatomy scan
- What is a congenital heart defect?
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A congenital heart defect is a difference in the heart that a baby is born with. Congenital heart defects are more common than most people realize, occurring in 1 out of every 100 babies, and can range from mild (no treatment needed) to severe and life-threatening.
- What if the test shows a heart defect?
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Once the diagnosis is made, members of your fetal cardiology team will meet with you to discuss the findings and explore options for treatment, which can include non-surgical and surgical interventions. Importantly, treatment can sometimes begin while your baby is still in the womb.
If needed, a pediatric heart surgeon will meet with you.
- What treatments are available for my unborn baby?
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Most of the time, the womb’s protective environment allows the fetus to thrive until delivery and prenatal treatment is not needed. However, in rare instances, medical or surgical interventions may be needed to help. Should prenatal treatment be indicated, we will discuss these options closely with you to create the best plan for your baby.
- What treatments are available after my baby is born?
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Treatment options depend on each specific type of congenital heart defect. For mild forms, no treatment may ever be needed. Certain heart rhythm abnormalities may require medications. Other types of congenital heart defects may require procedures such as a heart cath and/or surgery to help the blood flow more efficiently through the heart.
Treatment options are specific to each individual child and therefore are tailored to their specific needs.
- How does your team support me and my family once a congenital heart defect has been diagnosed?
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Receiving news of a potential difference in your baby’s heart can be a traumatic experience. We will work with your family to understand your needs and preferences and help your family navigate through this time. It is normal to find it difficult to take in this new information. We will follow up with you by phone and in person as many times are you need. Through the MyChart app, you can also have direct access to your care team. We are now part of the same team. You are not alone.
Each step of the way we will provide supportive and individualized care. We will provide you with local and national community resources and support groups. Support is also available from our Social Work and Child Life teams to help navigate potential questions such as: financial counseling, insurance, housing/transportation assistance, and/or how to help explain this diagnosis to other children at home.
Our mission to follow the healing mission of Christ includes providing these opportunities for our families and visitors as well as our patients.
Chapel and Healing Garden
This non-denominational chapel and outdoor healing garden is open 24 hours a day.Pastoral Care
Our chaplains are specially trained to minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their family members. They are available 24 hours a day. To arrange for a visit, contact our Pastoral Care Department by asking your nurse, dialing “0” from your room phone or at the number below.AdventHealth for Children
Chaplain's office: Call407-303-1553Devotional Services
You can attend services any day at 10:30 am in the AdventHealth Orlando Chapel.
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Preparing for the
Best Possible Outcome
Knowing about a heart defect or other problem prior to delivery can give the family a chance to make informed choices about treatment and feel confident and prepared.
At AdventHealth for Children, our goal throughout is to give the family the most accurate information, supported by the most advanced treatments and therapies available, so your child can enjoy optimal health and wellness, before, during and after delivery.
Expert Fetal Cardiology, Close to Home
We offer pediatric fetal cardiology clinic locations throughout Central and West Florida so you can have convenient access to our expert care, no matter where you live.
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- Celebration Clinic
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Celebration Clinic
This location offers fetal echocardiograms where you can schedule all your fetal cardiology appointments and care.
1530 Celebration Boulevard, Suite 408
Celebration, FL 34747- Learn More About the Celebration Clinic
- Daytona Beach Clinic
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Daytona Beach Clinic
This location does not offer fetal echocardiograms however all of your other appointment and care can be scheduled at this location.
305 Memorial Medical Parkway, Suite 408
Daytona Beach, FL 32117- Learn More About the Daytona Beach Clinic
- Lake Mary Clinic
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Lake Mary Clinic
This location offers fetal echocardiograms where you can schedule all your fetal cardiology appointments and care.
755 Rinehart Road, Suite 100
Lake Mary, FL 32746- Learn More About the Lake Mary Clinic
- Ocala Clinic
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Ocala Clinic
This location offers fetal echocardiograms where you can schedule all your fetal cardiology appointments and care.
307 Southwest 14th Street, Suite B
Ocala, FL 34471- Learn More About the Ocala Clinic
- Orlando Clinic
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Orlando Clinic
This location offers fetal echocardiograms where you can schedule all your fetal cardiology appointments and care.
2501 North Orange Avenue, Suite 310
Orlando, FL 32804- Learn More About the Orlando Clinic
- Tampa Clinic
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Tampa Clinic
This location does not offer fetal echocardiograms however all of your other appointment and care can be scheduled at this location.
3100 E Fletcher Ave, Suite 126
Tampa, FL 33613 - Tavares Clinic
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Tavares Clinic
This location does not offer fetal echocardiograms however all of your other appointment and care can be scheduled at this location.
1749 David Walker Drive
Tavares, FL 32778- Learn More About the Tavares Clinic
- Viera Clinic
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Viera Clinic
This location offers fetal echocardiograms where you can schedule all your fetal cardiology appointments and care.
6609 North Wickham Road, Suite 104
Melbourne, FL 32940- Learn More About the Viera Clinic
- Winter Garden Clinic
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Winter Garden Clinic
This location does not offer fetal echocardiograms however all of your other appointment and care can be scheduled at this location.
2200 Fowler Grove Boulevard, Suite 200
Winter Garden, FL 34787- Learn More About the Winter Garden Clinic
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