Maaike Nijman, Lotte E van der Meeren, Peter G J Nikkels, Raymond Stegeman, Johannes M P J Breur, Nicolaas J G Jansen, Henriette Ter Heide, Trinette J Steenhuis, Roel de Heus, Mireille N Bekker, Nathalie H P Claessens, Manon J N L Benders
BACKGROUND: Neonates with congenital heart disease are at risk for impaired brain development in utero, predisposing children to postnatal brain injury and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Given the vital role of the placenta in fetal growth, we assessed the incidence of placental pathology in fetal congenital heart disease and explored its association with total and regional brain volumes, gyrification, and brain injury after birth. METHODS AND RESULTS: Placentas from 96 term singleton pregnancies with severe fetal congenital heart disease were prospectively analyzed for macroscopic and microscopic pathology...
February 29, 2024: Journal of the American Heart Association