Fetal cardiovascular function in a late-onset SGA and FGR cohort: CURIOSA study.

The measurement of fetal cardiovascular function parameters is not yet established in prenatal diagnostics. Now that the research field of fetal programming is becoming increasingly important, this might change. Fetal cardiovascular changes have been described above all in early/severe fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Association of European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology practical recommendations for surveillance and prevention of cardiac disease in childhood cancer survivors: the importance of physical activity and lifestyle changes From the Association of European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology Working Group Sports Cardiology, Physical Activity and Prevention, Working Group Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Working Group Imaging and Working Group Heart Failure.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, presenting as the main causes of morbidity and mortality within this group. Besides the usual primary and secondary prevention in combination with screening during follow-up, the modifiable lifestyle factors of physical activity, nutrition, and body weight have not yet gained enough attention regarding potential cardiovascular risk reduction.

Objective: These practical recommendations aim to provide summarised information and practical implications to paediatricians and health professionals treating childhood cancer survivors to reduce the risk of cardiovascular late effects.

Effects of cohort, genotype, variant, and maternal β-blocker treatment on foetal heart rate predictors of inherited long QT syndrome.

Aims: In long QT syndrome (LQTS), primary prevention improves outcome; thus, early identification is key. The most common LQTS phenotype is a foetal heart rate (FHR) < 3rd percentile for gestational age (GA) but the effects of cohort, genotype, variant, and maternal β-blocker therapy on FHR are unknown. We assessed the influence of these factors on FHR in pregnancies with familial LQTS and developed a FHR/GA threshold for LQTS.

A Small Scale Optically Pumped Fetal Magnetocardiography System.

Introduction: Fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) is considered the best technique for diagnosis of fetal arrhythmia. It is superior to more widely used methods such as fetal, fetal electrocardiography, and cardiotocography for evaluation of fetal rhythm. The combination of fMCG and fetal echocardiography can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of fetal cardiac rhythm and function than is currently possible.

Preventing and Treating Torsades de Pointes in the Mother, Fetus and Newborn in the Highest Risk Pregnancies with Inherited Arrhythmia Syndromes.

The number of women of childbearing age who have been diagnosed in childhood with ion channelopathy and effectively treated using beta blockers, cardiac sympathectomy, and life-saving cardiac pacemakers/defibrillators is increasing. Since many of these diseases are inherited as autosomal dominant, offspring have about a 50% risk of having the disease, though many will be only mildly impacted during fetal life. However, highly complex delivery room preparation is increasingly needed in pregnancies with inherited arrhythmia syndromes (IASs).

Cardiovascular Health in Pregnant Women and Their Off-Spring.

Child development requires complex interactions between the pregnant woman and the growing child [...

Anxiety and Depression Levels in Parents after Counselling for Fetal Heart Disease.

The progress in fetal cardiology allows for the early diagnosis of congenital heart defects, but there is still a lack of data on the psychological situation of parents expecting a child with a congenital heart defect. In this cross-sectional study, 77 parents (45 women and 32 men) expecting a child with a heart defect were interviewed with different questionnaires. The standardized Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire was used to assess the psychological state of the parents.

Fetal Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Management.

One of the most successful achievements of fetal intervention is the pharmacologic management of fetal arrhythmias. This management usually takes place during the second or third trimester. While most arrhythmias in the fetus are benign, both tachy- and bradyarrhythmias can lead to fetal hydrops or cardiac dysfunction and require treatment under certain conditions.

Contribution of Fetal Magnetocardiography to Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, and Treatment of Fetal Arrhythmia.

Background Fetal echocardiography has been the mainstay of fetal arrhythmia diagnosis; however, fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) has recently become clinically available. We sought to determine to what extent fMCG contributed to the precision and accuracy of fetal arrhythmia diagnosis and risk assessment, and in turn, how this altered pregnancy management. Methods and Results We reviewed fMCG tracings and medical records of 215 pregnancies referred to the Biomagnetism Laboratory, UW-Madison, over the last 10 years, because of fetal arrhythmia or risk of arrhythmia.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Childhood and Adolescence.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated amount of 17 [...

It Is Not Carved in Stone-The Need for a Genetic Reevaluation of Variants in Pediatric Cardiomyopathies.

(1) Background: In cardiomyopathies, identification of genetic variants is important for the correct diagnosis and impacts family cascade screening. A classification system was published by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) in 2015 to standardize variants' classification. The aim of the study was to determine the rate of reclassification of previously identified variants in patients with childhood-onset cardiomyopathies.

Physical Activity in High-Risk Pregnancies.

It is known that physical activity before and during pregnancy is associated with health benefits for both the mother and fetus. The WHO recommends a minimum of 150 min per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for pregnant women. However, the majority of pregnant woman seem not to be physically active in pregnancy as recommended.

Cardiovascular outcome of former late-onset small-for-gestational-age children at 1 year of age: CURIOSA study.

Objective: Late-onset small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses usually show normal uterine artery Doppler and were long considered to have a good peri- and postnatal outcome. Recently, these fetuses were identified to have a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate former SGA children concerning their cardiovascular risk and nutrition behavior at the age of 1 year.

The aorto-left ventricular tunnel from a fetal perspective: Original case series and literature review.

Introduction: Aorto-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) accounts for <0.1% of congenital heart defects. Evidence on the prognosis from a fetal perspective is limited.

Parents' Perspectives on Counseling for Fetal Heart Disease: What Matters Most?

After diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) in the fetus, effective counseling is considered mandatory. We sought to investigate which factors, including parental social variables, significantly affect counseling outcome. A total of = 226 parents were recruited prospectively from four national tertiary medical care centers.

The Impact of Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy on the Cardiovascular System of Children at One Year of Age.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication in pregnancy. The effect of GDM on the cardiovascular system after birth is still unclear. Between August 2015 and December 2018, 205 pregnant women were included in the prospective controlled observational study.

Do children with congenital heart defects meet the vaccination recommendations? Immunisation in children with congenital heart defects.

Introduction: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common congenital malformations. Patients with CHD have a higher morbidity and mortality rate and are at greater risk for infectious diseases. The risk might even be higher if complex CHD occurs and if CHD is associated with additional co-morbidities.

Myocardial deformation analysis in late-onset small-for-gestational-age and growth-restricted fetuses using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: An association between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and increased predisposition to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate subclinical signs of fetal cardiac remodeling in late-onset small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and growth-restricted fetuses using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study, including 117 late-onset (≥32 weeks) SGA (birthweight≤10th centile) fetuses and 102 gestational age matched controls.

Fetal Cardiac Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Does It Affect Parental Counseling?

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts health care providers in multiple ways, even specialties that do not seem to be affected primarily, such as fetal cardiac services. We aimed to assess the effects on parental counseling for fetal congenital heart disease (CHD). In this multicenter study, we used a validated questionnaire.

Perinatal Outcome and its Prediction Using Longitudinal Feto-Maternal Doppler Follow-Up in Late Onset Small for Gestational Age Fetuses - A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose:  To describe the perinatal outcome of a prospective cohort of late-onset small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses and to test adverse perinatal outcome (APO) prediction using Doppler measurements.

Methods:  Singleton pregnancies from 32 weeks with suspicion of SGA (followed-up each 2 weeks) and randomly selected healthy controls at a university hospital were included. The whole SGA group was divided into the FGR subgroup or SGA percentile 3-10 subgroup.

Gestational Diabetes: Physical Activity Before Pregnancy and Its Influence on the Cardiovascular System.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication in pregnancy, affecting around 14% of all pregnancies each year. It will likely further increase, as obesity becomes more prevalent. The impact of GDM on cardiovascular changes in pregnant women and her child is still unclear.

Fetal Cardiac Intervention for Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum: International Fetal Cardiac Intervention Registry.

Introduction: Invasive fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) and critical pulmonary stenosis (PS) has been performed with small single-institution series reporting technical and physiological success. We present the first multicenter experience.

Objectives: Describe fetal and maternal characteristics of those being evaluated for FCI, including pregnancy/neonatal outcome data using the International Fetal Cardiac Intervention Registry (IFCIR).