Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Infratentorial Brain Structures in Fetuses With Congenital Heart Disease

Fetuses with CHD exhibit significant reductions in specific infratentorial brain measurements, including cerebellar vermis dimensions and brainstem structures (pons and medulla oblongata), compared to healthy controls. These abnormalities are present regardless of the CHD classification based on expected cerebral oxygen delivery, suggesting that the impact of CHD on fetal brain development is more complex than previously understood. These findings support the implementation of comprehensive neurosonographic evaluation in all fetuses with CHD and highlight the need for further research correlating prenatal infratentorial measurements with long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.