Scientists have created 3D images of a baby's heart while still inside the womb – a development that could revolutionise the treatment of congenital disease before birth.

Regular MRI scans of pregnant women were put through a powerful computer program developed by experts at King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust.

This then transformed the standard images – which are often unclear due to the baby's movement and the speed its heart beats – into clear three-dimensional images.

Image: The development could revolutionise the treatment of congenital disease before birth

These images then provide doctors with a clear view of any abnormality.

Professor Reza Razavi, consultant paediatric cardiologist, said: "Application of this novel computing technology has enabled for the first time MRI scanning to really help with clarifying the diagnosis in a subgroup of babies, particularly when the vessels around the heart are involved."

John Simpson, professor of paediatric and fetal cardiology, added: "Three dimensional MRI revolutionise the type of information we can obtain before babies are born.

3D imaging of a fetus's heart
Image: The technique transforms standard images into clear three-dimensional images Read More [contf] [contfnew]

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