Tetralogy of Fallot

Your healthcare provider can diagnose tetralogy of Fallot during pregnancy or after your baby is born. They usually find it in the first few weeks or months of life.

Tests before birth

During prenatal tests, your healthcare provider may see something in an ultrasound image that looks like it could be tetralogy of Fallot. From 18 to 22 weeks into your pregnancy, your provider will be able to use a fetal echocardiogram or ultrasound image of the fetus’s heart to see if the heart’s structure is normal.

Tests in infancy

If your baby has tetralogy of Fallot, your provider will most likely hear a heart murmur when listening to your baby’s heart. They can easily check your newborn baby’s oxygen level with pulse oximetry (pulse ox). If it shows a low oxygen level, your provider can do an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). These tests are painless and don’t go through the surface of your baby’s skin.

• Pulse oximetry: Before you take your baby home, your provider will put sensors on your newborn’s feet or hands to find out how much oxygen is in their blood.
• Echocardiogram: uses sound waves to show your baby’s heart structure and how well their heart is working.
• Chest X-ray or CT (computed tomography): This may show a heart that has the abnormal shape of a boot.

Tests in childhood or adulthood

To diagnose tetralogy of Fallot in a child or adult, a provider may use the above methods, as well as an electrocardiogram (EKG) and cardiac catheterization.