diagnosing LQTS in utero

New Research Study: Diagnosing LQTS in Utero

In the last 5 years much has been learned about LQTS including that it appears to be much more common than previously recognized -as common as 1 in 2,500 people. This exciting new research will now give us the ability to diagnose your baby before he/she is born.

We have the ability to diagnose LQTS before birth using a non-invasive test, called a magnetocardiogram that presents no danger to the mother or fetus; it does not use radiation like CT scans or x-rays. The mother lies comfortably in a magnetically shielded room with a large tube, the biomagnetometer, positioned above her abdomen. The optimal time to have the fMCG, which takes a total time of about 2 hours, is at 22-26 weeks of gestation.
We have evaluated 31 fetuses at risk for LQTS and 14 were affected.  Based on the fetal findings, asymptomatic toddlers in 2 families were also found to have LQTS. In addition we have found very good correlation between fetal and neonatal QTc, and that the heart rates of the LQTS fetuses can be higher than what the obstetricians would consider “abnormal” Based on our study, we suspect that LQTS is not detected in a considerable number of fetuses that deliver normally. Thus, magneotcardiography can be helpful in diagnosing LQTS in the fetus with a positive family history, and further data will help to define the risk factors in the fetus without a negative family history of LQTS.

If you are interested in learning more about participating in this project, contact the Anne Maurer, Director of Family Support at 800-STOP-SAD or Anne@sads.org.  Dr. Cuneo would also be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Bettina Cuneo, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics
Director of Perinatal Cardiology
The Heart Institute for Children and Advocate Health Care
Chicago, IL
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