Fetal foramen ovale restriction in pregnancy: echocardiographic characteristics and perinatal outcomes.

Cohort studyThe journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians· Dec 2026

Fetal foramen ovale restriction in pregnancy: echocardiographic characteristics and perinatal outcomes.

Meng Hou, Weihong Wang, Meili Pei … Fanfan Gao

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Pediatric CardiologyCohort studyPrognosis

Most postnatal cardiac abnormalities in fetal foramen ovale restriction resolve spontaneously.

Fetal foramen ovale restriction in pregnancy: echocardiographic characteristics and perinatal outcomes.

Meng Hou … Fanfan Gao

The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine · Dec 2026

Background

Fetal foramen ovale restriction (foramen ovale restriction) is an abnormal intracardiac flow disorder that may affect fetal cardiac hemodynamics and perinatal management.

Purpose

This retrospective cohort study aimed to characterize the echocardiographic features, associated abnormalities, and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by fetal foramen ovale restriction, providing clinical evidence for obstetric decision-making.

Methods

A total of 283 fetuses diagnosed with foramen ovale restriction by fetal echocardiography were enrolled.

Results

93.8%

most postnatal cardiac abnormalities resolved spontaneously within one year

More results

The incidence of foramen ovale restriction was 1.88% among all fetal echocardiographic examinations.

The median gestational age at diagnosis was 35 + 4 weeks, with 11.7% of cases diagnosed before 32 weeks of gestation.

More results

Coexisting pregnancy complications or fetal abnormalities were observed in 51.6% of cases, while 41.2% presented with isolated foramen ovale restriction.

The cesarean delivery rate was 64.7%, with fetal distress as the leading indication (24.0%).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Fetal foramen ovale restriction is mostly diagnosed in the third trimester and is frequently associated with right heart enlargement. Importantly, foramen ovale restriction does not independently require cesarean delivery or preterm birth.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Neonatal outcomes of fetuses with foramen ovale restriction are generally favorable, with a high rate of spontaneous resolution of postnatal cardiac findings, which supports conservative obstetric management for most cases.

Fetal foramen ovale restriction in pregnancy: echocardiographic characteristics and perinatal outcomes.

Fetal foramen ovale restriction in pregnancy: echocardiographic characteristics and perinatal outcomes.

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