EVALUATING FETAL HEART HEALTH IN EARLY PREGNANCY: COMPARISON OF 2-SECTION AND 4-SECTION METHODS USING GE-E10 FOUR-DIMENSIONAL COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IN ATHLETES

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of GE-E10 four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound (4D-CU) in screening for fetal heart abnormalities during early pregnancy, focusing on its application among athletes to ensure optimal prenatal care. Methods: From January 2019 to January 2021, 160 pregnant female athletes suspected of fetal heart abnormalities based on preliminary ultrasound exams at our facility were assessed using both 2-section and 4-section 4D-CU methods. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated against postpartum neonatal outcomes determined through echocardiography or autopsy following induced labor. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, and pathological outcomes associated with detected cardiac malformations, using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to compare the diagnostic capabilities of the 2-section and 4-section approaches. Results: All 160 female participants completed the study, with 13 confirmed cases of fetal congenital heart disease post-delivery. Of these, 9 were confirmed by autopsy and 4 by postnatal ultrasound. The 2-section method demonstrated a coincidence rate of 95.63% and a sensitivity of 46.15%, while the 4-section method showed improved outcomes with a coincidence rate of 98.75% and a sensitivity of 84.62%. ROC curve analysis revealed that the 4-section method had a higher diagnostic efficacy (AUC: 0.957, 95% CI: 0.831–0.917) compared to the 2-section method (AUC: 0.925, 95% CI: 0.774–0.872). Conclusion: The GE-E10 4D-CU is a valuable tool for early detection of fetal cardiac abnormalities in pregnant athletes, offering detailed insights that can guide prenatal management. The 4-section method, in particular, provides a higher detection rate and should be considered in routine prenatal screening protocols to optimize maternal and fetal health outcomes. This study underscores the importance of advanced imaging techniques in the prenatal care of athletes, facilitating early interventions and informed decision-making during pregnancy