A couple admiring the belly of their baby

Advanced Diagnostics of Your Child's Developing Heart

Every parent hopes their pregnancy will go as planned, without any problems. In most cases, they do. But there are times when even a developing baby needs uniquely specialized care. In these matters of the heart, the fetal cardiology team at AdventHealth for Children can step in to investigate potential cardiovascular problems. Working closely with your obstetrician or perinatologist alongside AdventHealth for Children's pediatric cardiology team, our specialists use the latest technological advances to take a close look at a child’s heart while they are still in the womb.

We’re here to help you find the right physician or a location that’s convenient for you.

Multidisciplinary Care

The fetal cardiology program at AdventHealth for Children provides early and accurate prenatal diagnosis. We are here to help you understand exactly how your baby’s heart is developing. Our team of fetal and pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, maternal fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists will partner with you and your obstetrician to create the best plan that supports your baby’s heart health.
Experts in the Field

Our team members are nationally recognized for their expertise in many fields of cardiology (including fetal cardiology, non-invasive cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, and cardiac surgery), contributing to the development and use of innovative treatments, advanced technology, and multiple local and national research studies to further advance the field of pediatric cardiology. We are institutional sponsors of the Fetal Heart Society, an organization advancing cardiovascular care through collaborative research.
National Leader in Newborn Care

Your baby will be cared for by some of the best neonatologists in the country. For the 7th consecutive year, AdventHealth for Children is recognized as a national leader in newborn care according to U.S. News & World Report.

We are privileged to partner with you, your family and your entire care team to support your baby’s individual needs before, during and after delivery.

Jacqueline Shuplock, MD

Director, Fetal Cardiology

Jorge Garcia, MD, FACC, FASE

Director, Pediatric Echocardiography Lab

Postnatal Cardio/Neurodevelopmental Program

Children with congenital heart disease with may experience challenges in various areas of development. Our cardiac neurodevelopmental programs help ensure that your child’s development is monitored closely to identify potential concerns as early as possible and to provide intervention and support from a young age.
Single Ventricle Home Monitoring Program

The Single Ventricle Home Monitoring Program at AdventHealth for Children was developed for babies with single ventricle-type congenital heart disease to help anticipate any potential issues and provide support through the vulnerable period between discharge from the hospital and the Glenn operation.

We treat nearly all fetal and pediatric heart conditions, some of which are included below. However, it is important to note that this is not an all-encompassing list.

Anomalous pulmonary venous return
Arrhythmias
Atrial or ventricular septal defects
Atrioventricular septal defects
Aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation
Cardiac tumors
Coarctation or interruption of the aorta
Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries

Double inlet left ventricle
Double outlet right ventricle
Ebstein’s anomaly
Heterotaxy syndrome
Hypoplastic left or right heart syndrome
Maternal lupus/SSA disease
Mitral valve stenosis or regurgitation
Pericardial effusion

Pulmonary valve atresia, stenosis, or regurgitation
Shone’s syndrome
Single ventricle congenital heart disease
Tetralogy of Fallot
Transposition of the great arteries
Tricuspid valve atresia, stenosis, or regurgitation
Vascular rings

The Walt Disney Pavilion at AdventHealth for Children is at the heart of AdventHealth Orlando and features inspiring themes and comforting characters to make children and families feel at ease throughout their stay.

AdventHealth for Children Fetal Cardiology patient Laelynn propped up on a couch.

"Our first visit with Dr. Shuplock was a harrowing experience of unknowns when we first learned more about Laelynn’s special heart. She was able to explain the diagnosis and every possible outcome in a very caring and reassuring way. As the months progressed and we saw Dr. Shuplock and her team (Dr. Amin, Dr. Blanco and Dr. Lee) more often, dread of an unknown outcome quickly gave way to hope. The professionalism alone was something to be much heralded but being able to combine that with their ability to work wonders in ensuring my daughter’s health was truly a godsend." — Brian, Laelynn's Father

What is a fetal echocardiogram?: A fetal echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound test performed during pregnancy by the pediatric cardiology team to evaluate the heart of the unborn baby. The test is painless and normally takes less than an hour. As in routine ultrasound, gel is applied to the mother’s abdomen and the ultrasound transducer obtains images of the structures of the fetal heart. Like all ultrasounds, echocardiograms use sound waves to look at a fetus's developing heart. There is no radiation exposure and no known risk to the mother or baby.
Fetal echocardiography can help detect fetal heart abnormalities before birth. This makes it possible to prepare for medical or surgical intervention when the baby is born. Preparation improves the chance of a newborn's survival and lowers the rate of complications after delivery for babies with serious heart defects.
When is a fetal echocardiogram necessary?: Every pregnancy does not require an echocardiogram. Routine prenatal ultrasound tests women receive from their OB/GYN provide information about whether the chambers of the fetal heart are developing normally. Further testing, including fetal echocardiography, might be necessary if:
A routine ultrasound shows abnormal heart development or abnormal heart rhythm
There is a family history of congenital heart disease
Another abnormality is discovered in the fetus
There is a concern for a genetic abnormality or syndrome in the fetus
The mother has certain medical diagnoses such as diabetes, phenylketonuria, or a connective tissue disorder, or lupus
Assisted reproduction technology such as in vitro fertilization
Certain types of twin pregnancies (monochorionic)
Fetal heart is not seen clearly on the obstetric anatomy scan
What is a congenital heart defect?: A congenital heart defect is a difference in the heart that a baby is born with. Congenital heart defects are more common than most people realize, occurring in 1 out of every 100 babies, and can range from mild (no treatment needed) to severe and life-threatening.
What if the test shows a heart defect?: Once the diagnosis is made, members of your fetal cardiology team will meet with you to discuss the findings and explore options for treatment, which can include non-surgical and surgical interventions. Importantly, treatment can sometimes begin while your baby is still in the womb.
If needed, a pediatric heart surgeon will meet with you.
What treatments are available for my unborn baby?: Most of the time, the womb’s protective environment allows the fetus to thrive until delivery and prenatal treatment is not needed. However, in rare instances, medical or surgical interventions may be needed to help. Should prenatal treatment be indicated, we will discuss these options closely with you to create the best plan for your baby.
What treatments are available after my baby is born?: Treatment options depend on each specific type of congenital heart defect. For mild forms, no treatment may ever be needed. Certain heart rhythm abnormalities may require medications. Other types of congenital heart defects may require procedures such as a heart cath and/or surgery to help the blood flow more efficiently through the heart.

Treatment options are specific to each individual child and therefore are tailored to their specific needs.
How does your team support me and my family once a congenital heart defect has been diagnosed?: Receiving news of a potential difference in your baby’s heart can be a traumatic experience. We will work with your family to understand your needs and preferences and help your family navigate through this time. It is normal to find it difficult to take in this new information. We will follow up with you by phone and in person as many times are you need. Through the MyChart app, you can also have direct access to your care team. We are now part of the same team. You are not alone.
Each step of the way we will provide supportive and individualized care. We will provide you with local and national community resources and support groups. Support is also available from our Social Work and Child Life teams to help navigate potential questions such as: financial counseling, insurance, housing/transportation assistance, and/or how to help explain this diagnosis to other children at home.
Our mission to follow the healing mission of Christ includes providing these opportunities for our families and visitors as well as our patients.
Chapel and Healing Garden
This non-denominational chapel and outdoor healing garden is open 24 hours a day.
Pastoral Care
Our chaplains are specially trained to minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their family members. They are available 24 hours a day. To arrange for a visit, contact our Pastoral Care Department by asking your nurse, dialing “0” from your room phone or at the number below.
AdventHealth for Children
Chaplain's office: Call407-303-1553
Devotional Services
You can attend services any day at 10:30 am in the AdventHealth Orlando Chapel.

Preparing for the Best Possible Outcome

Knowing about a heart defect or other problem prior to delivery can give the family a chance to make informed choices about treatment and feel confident and prepared.

At AdventHealth for Children, our goal throughout is to give the family the most accurate information, supported by the most advanced treatments and therapies available, so your child can enjoy optimal health and wellness, before, during and after delivery.

Advanced Diagnostics of Your Child's Developing Heart

Expert Compassionate Care for the Center of Your World

Multidisciplinary Care

Experts in the Field

National Leader in Newborn Care

Meet the Fetal Cardiology Team

Jacqueline Shuplock, MD

Jorge Garcia, MD, FACC, FASE

Hao Hsu, MD

Ashish Patel, MD

Anjlee Patel, MD

Abigail Hofstrand, APRN

Our Programs

Postnatal Cardio/Neurodevelopmental Program

Single Ventricle Home Monitoring Program

Conditions We Treat

The Walt Disney Pavilion

Expert and Compassionate Care

Fetal Cardiology Getting Answers in Advance

Preparing for the Best Possible Outcome

Expert Fetal Cardiology, Close to Home