Issues Related to Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Enhanced technology and professional expertise are making the diagnosis of congenital heart disease possible with increasing frequency during the prenatal period. This article describes the process of prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease and the many personal issues families face when they receive news of this condition. Ethical and legal considerations of prenatal diagnosis are reviewed. Brief vignettes describe what families experience when they receive the diagnosis. The role of the nurse in educating parents, assisting them in sorting out options for treatment, and providing ongoing care and support is discussed, and implications for nurses in obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric settings are reviewed. Finally, the need for further research on this topic is explored.