Effect of Fetal Hypoxia on Cardiac Function and Structure

Abstract

Doppler waveform displays the opening and closing clicks of the mitral and aortic valves. ICT isovolumic contraction time; IRT isovolumic relaxation time; ET ejection time. It is currently recognized that the quality of the fetal environment during early development is critical for programming of cardiovascular health and disease later in life. Fetal hypoxia is one of the most common consequences of complicated pregnancies worldwide, as it is a central pathophysiologic feature of placental insufficiency in fetal growth restriction, fetal anemia, twin-to-twin t ransfusion s y n d r o m e , m a t e r n a l smoking or even in maternal inflammatory conditions.