Magyar változat

Expert fetal and pediatric heart care

Dr. Ladányi Anikó is a Hungarian pediatric cardiologist and fetal heart ultrasound specialist with more than 20 years of experience in diagnosing and caring for congenital heart disease from before birth through childhood.

Dr. Ladányi Anikó, pediatric cardiologist and fetal heart ultrasound specialist

About Dr. Ladányi Anikó

Dr. Ladányi Anikó is a senior pediatric cardiologist and a certified specialist in fetal heart ultrasound (fetal echocardiography). Her goal is to detect heart conditions in the smallest patients as early as possible and to guide families from diagnosis through treatment and long-term follow-up.

She graduated from Semmelweis University in 1998, completed pediatric training, and then specialized in pediatric cardiology at the Pediatric Heart Center of the Gottsegen National Cardiovascular Center in Budapest. She earned her board certifications in pediatrics (2004) and pediatric cardiology (2007).

Since 1999 she has worked at the Gottsegen National Cardiovascular Center – Pediatric Heart Center in Budapest, and since 2024 she has also been a leading pediatric cardiologist at the Foeto-Maternal Center of the University of Szeged, where she performs detailed second-trimester fetal heart and vascular screenings.

She has gained international experience at leading institutions including The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, the Royal Brompton Hospital Centre for Fetal Cardiology in London, and Evelina London Children’s Hospital / King’s College Hospital. She is a member of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology (pediatric cardiology section), the European Association for Pediatric Cardiology (AEPC), and the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG).

Consultations are available in English; she also speaks basic French.

Services

Fetal heart ultrasound (fetal echocardiography)

What is fetal echocardiography?

Fetal echocardiography is a specialized ultrasound examination that looks at the fetal heart’s anatomy, function and rhythm, as well as the great vessels and blood flow. Its aim is to detect congenital heart and vascular defects and rhythm disorders before birth [1].

Why is it important?

Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital anomaly, with a prevalence of about 8 per 1,000 live births, and it remains a leading cause of infant mortality [1][2]. Knowing the type and severity of a heart condition before delivery helps families understand the prognosis, plan birth and neonatal care, and, when appropriate, begin treatment (including medication for rhythm disorders) before birth.

When is it performed?

The optimal timing is 18–22 weeks of pregnancy [1]. In selected high-risk pregnancies an early scan at 12–14 weeks is also possible, followed by a second-trimester follow-up [1].

Who is it recommended for?

Fetal echocardiography is recommended when a routine obstetric scan raises suspicion of a heart defect or rhythm disorder, when congenital heart disease runs in the family, in twin pregnancies, maternal diabetes, autoimmune disease, certain medications, viral infection, assisted reproduction, suspected chromosomal abnormality or maternal age over 37 [1][3]. In Down syndrome, for example, congenital heart disease occurs in about 40–50% of cases [3]. A substantial proportion of detectable fetal heart defects also occurs in pregnancies without any known risk factor, which is why timely specialist referral matters even in apparently low-risk pregnancies [1].

Limitations

Although most major structural heart and vascular anomalies can be identified, not every lesion is detectable before birth [1]. Fetal echocardiography does not replace routine obstetric or genetic screening; any concerns should always be discussed with your doctor.

Pediatric cardiology

Where to see Dr. Ladányi Anikó

Private appointments

Private care is provided through ArchiMedicin Kft. at contracted partner clinics. Please contact the partner clinic directly for bookings; ArchiMedicin does not operate a separate online booking system.

Private

Wáberer Medical Center – WMC

1123 Budapest, Alkotás utca 55-61.
Phone: +36 1 323 7000

Mon–Fri: 6:30–20:00, Sat: 7:00–14:00

Private

TritonLife Medical Center Hegyalja

1112 Budapest, Hegyalja út 100.
Phone: +36 70 659 8888

Mon–Fri: 8:00–20:00, Sat: 8:00–12:00

Publicly funded care

Company information

ArchiMedicin Kft.
2351 Alsónémedi, Arany J. u. 8.
Email: info@archimedicin.hu
Company registration: 13-09-204709
Tax number: 27896783-1-13

References

  1. Carvalho JS, et al. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): fetal cardiac screening. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2023;61(6):788-803. doi: 10.1002/uog.26224
  2. World Heart Federation. World Heart Report 2026: Congenital Heart Disease. 2026. https://world-heart-federation.org/report2026/
  3. Dimopoulos K, et al. Cardiovascular Complications of Down Syndrome: scoping review and expert consensus. Circulation. 2023;147:425-441. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.122.059706

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Responsible for website content: Dr. Ladányi Anikó
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