Advances in Fetal Cardiac Care Offer Hope for Babies Born with Heart Defects

Prenatal screening and surgical techniques are improving outcomes for congenital heart disease

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Approximately 40,000 babies are born with congenital heart disease (CHD) each year, making it the most common birth defect. However, advancements in prenatal screening and surgical techniques are offering hope and improved outcomes for these little ones and their families. Detailed ultrasounds can now diagnose CHD while the baby is still in the womb, allowing for early intervention and preparation. Surgical procedures performed on newborns and infants are also becoming more advanced, restoring healthy blood flow and giving these children a chance at a normal life. Looking ahead, trends like enhanced ultrasound technology, artificial intelligence integration, minimally invasive procedures, and improved long-term follow-up are poised to further revolutionize fetal and congenital heart care.

Why it matters

Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 1% of babies born each year. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for affected children and their families. Advances in prenatal screening and surgical techniques are giving more babies born with heart defects a chance at a healthy future.

The details

Through detailed fetal echocardiograms, doctors are now able to diagnose congenital heart defects while the baby is still in the womb. This allows for early intervention and preparation, including specialized delivery plans and immediate surgical procedures after birth. Newborns and infants with severe heart defects are undergoing complex, life-saving surgeries that were not possible just a generation ago. For example, baby Lucy Drager was born without the valve needed to pump blood to her lungs, but underwent an eight-day-old procedure and a full heart repair at three months old, restoring healthy blood flow.

  • Approximately 40,000 babies are born with congenital heart disease each year.
  • Lucy Drager underwent heart surgery at just 8 days old, followed by a full repair at 3 months.

The players

Jaclyn Drager

An expectant mother from Avon, Ohio whose longer-than-usual ultrasound at 4.5 months revealed a potential problem with her baby's heart.

Dr. Clare O'Hare

A pediatric cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic who explains that advancements in ultrasound technology are allowing doctors to detect more and different types of congenital heart disease during pregnancy.

Lucy Drager

A baby born with a severe heart defect that required immediate surgical intervention, including a procedure at 8 days old and a full repair at 3 months.

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What they’re saying

“The improvements that we had on ultrasounds...these days we are picking up more and different types of congenital heart disease.”

— Dr. Clare O'Hare, Pediatric Cardiologist

What’s next

Researchers are continuing to develop even more sophisticated ultrasound techniques, including 3D and 4D imaging, to provide clearer and more detailed views of the fetal heart. Additionally, artificial intelligence algorithms are being created to assist in the analysis of fetal echocardiograms, potentially identifying subtle anomalies that might be missed by the human eye.

The takeaway

The story of Lucy Drager and countless others underscores the importance of continued advancements in fetal cardiac care. Early detection of congenital heart defects, coupled with innovative surgical treatments, is offering a brighter future for babies born with these conditions and giving their families hope.