October 2011

In this document, we make clear distinctions between initial echocardiographic studies in neonates with the suspicion of CHD and studies performed on infants without any clinical suspicion of CHD. If CHD has been excluded, subsequent studies in children with structurally normal hearts can focus on hemodynamic or functional assessment. The initial echocardiographic examination should always be a comprehensive study of both anatomy and function that is to be interpreted by a pediatric cardiologist within a reasonable time frame. Some structural defects, such as anomalous pulmonary venous return or coarctation of the aorta, can be difficult to detect using echocardiography and require extensive training and continued practice. Once significant congenital defects have been ruled out, more focused studies can be performed and interpreted by a trained echocardiographer for specific indications, as defined later in this document. We propose to use the term targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) for the more focused studies. The aims of the current document are: (1) to review the current indications of TNE; (2) to define recommendations for the performance of TNE; and (3) to propose training.