J Perinat Med. 2025 Apr 16. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2025-0037. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. Accurate prenatal detection is crucial to improving neonatal outcomes. In Indonesia, two primary methods are used: fetal cardiac screening (FCS), which is accessible but limited in sensitivity (40-60 %), and fetal echocardiography (FE), the gold standard with over 90 % sensitivity but limited access due to infrastructural and financial challenges.
CONTENT: This review analyzes Indonesia’s diagnostic disparities, highlighting how rural regions rely heavily on FCS, while FE remains restricted to urban centers. Emerging technologies, such as AI-enhanced diagnostics and telemedicine, show promise in bridging gaps by increasing FCS accuracy and extending access to FE through remote consultations.
SUMMARY: AI has the potential to boost FCS sensitivity by up to 30 %, making it an effective preliminary screening tool, while telemedicine platforms connect rural practitioners to urban specialists. However, barriers like insufficient infrastructure, regulatory issues, and limited training hinder widespread adoption.
OUTLOOK: Addressing these gaps requires standardized national protocols, capacity-building initiatives, and public-private partnerships to finance infrastructure and reduce costs. With technology integration and systemic reforms, Indonesia can achieve equitable CHD diagnostics, improving maternal and neonatal outcomes and aligning with global standards.
PMID:40232686 | DOI:10.1515/jpm-2025-0037
