Fetal Heart Ultrasound - Glossary

Lupus: Chronic, autoimmune disease that can affect and damage any parts of the body like skin, joints and other organs in the body.

Parvovirus: A viral infection that causes severe problems in gastrointestinal tract and lymphatic system leading to vomiting, diarrhea and immunosuppression.

Coxsackie: An enterovirus that causes Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.

Phenylketonuria: A condition caused by deficiency of an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase. It is characterized by intellectual disability, seizures and other serious medical problems. It is an inherited disease.

Ductus venosus: The condition in which a portion of the left umbilical vein blood flow directly into the inferior vena cava. So, oxygenated blood from the placenta bypasses the liver.

Coarctation of aorta: Narrowing of the aorta, the large blood vessel that delivers oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body by branching out into smaller arteries.

Cardiac situs: Refers to the position of the heart. Situs solitus is the normal position of the organs in the thorax and abdomen region. Situs inversus is a congenital condition in which major internal organs are reversed or mirrored from their normal positions.

Nuchal translucency: Increased collection of fluid under the skin at the back of the fetus’ neck. The measurement is taken between 11 weeks plus two days and 14 weeks plus one day of pregnancy. It can also be taken when the size of the fetus measures between 45 mm and 84 mm.

Nuchal fold thickness: By the second trimester, the translucency of the nuchal fold is measured instead of nuchal translucency as the fluid cannot be seen.

Anti Rho/La positive: They are anti-nuclear auto-antibodies that are associated with autoimmune diseases.