Does fetal diagnosis make a difference?

Fetal echocardiography has made an impact on the world of pediatric cardiology today. It has taught us much about the natural history of fetal cardiac disease, and with ongoing collaborative studies, it should continue to enhance our knowledge base. Fetal echocardiography has promoted the development of an exciting new discipline within pediatric cardiology, namely, fetal cardiac intervention. We hope that the recognition of critical congenital heart disease in utero improves the long-term outcome of our patients, including neurodevelopmental outcome and quality of life.