Placental delayed villous maturation is associated with fetal congenital heart disease.

Background: The placenta is crucial for the overall development and lifelong health of the fetus. Abnormal placental development and function occur in pregnancies with fetal congenital heart disease. However, studies that use standardized diagnostic criteria and incorporate control populations are lacking.

Trajectories of Maternal and Paternal Psychological Distress After Fetal Diagnosis of Moderate-Severe Congenital Heart Disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare trajectories of maternal and paternal psychological distress after prenatal diagnosis of fetal moderate-severe congenital heart disease (CHD), from pregnancy through early-mid infancy.

Methods: Pregnant women who received a prenatal diagnosis of fetal moderate-severe CHD, and their partners, were enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal study. Symptoms of psychological distress were measured twice during pregnancy and twice after birth, using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-42).