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Cromb D, Slator PJ, Hall M, Price A, Alexander DC, Counsell SJ, Hutter J. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging detects altered placental development in pregnancies affected by congenital heart disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12357. [PMID: 38811636 PMCID: PMC11136986 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63087-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation and is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The placenta is crucial for healthy fetal development and placental development is altered in pregnancy when the fetus has CHD. This study utilized advanced combined diffusion-relaxation MRI and a data-driven analysis technique to test the hypothesis that placental microstructure and perfusion are altered in CHD-affected pregnancies. 48 participants (36 controls, 12 CHD) underwent 67 MRI scans (50 control, 17 CHD). Significant differences in the weighting of two independent placental and uterine-wall tissue components were identified between the CHD and control groups (both pFDR < 0.001), with changes most evident after 30 weeks gestation. A significant trend over gestation in weighting for a third independent tissue component was also observed in the CHD cohort (R = 0.50, pFDR = 0.04), but not in controls. These findings add to existing evidence that placental development is altered in CHD. The results may reflect alterations in placental perfusion or the changes in fetal-placental flow, villous structure and maturation that occur in CHD. Further research is needed to validate and better understand these findings and to understand the relationship between placental development, CHD, and its neurodevelopmental implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Cromb
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Centre for Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paddy J Slator
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
- School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Megan Hall
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Anthony Price
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Centre for Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel C Alexander
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Serena J Counsell
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK.
- Centre for Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Jana Hutter
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EH, UK
- Centre for Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Smart Imaging Lab, Radiological Institute, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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2
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Leon RL, Bitar L, Rajagopalan V, Spong CY. Interdependence of placenta and fetal cardiac development. Prenat Diagn 2024. [PMID: 38676696 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
The placenta and fetal heart undergo development concurrently during early pregnancy, and, while human studies have reported associations between placental abnormalities and congenital heart disease (CHD), the nature of this relationship remains incompletely understood. Evidence from animal studies suggests a plausible cause and effect connection between placental abnormalities and fetal CHD. Biomechanical models demonstrate the influence of mechanical forces on cardiac development, whereas genetic models highlight the role of confined placental mutations that can cause some forms of CHD. Similar definitive studies in humans are lacking; however, placental pathologies such as maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion and chronic deciduitis are frequently observed in pregnancies complicated by CHD. Moreover, maternal conditions such as diabetes and pre-eclampsia, which affect placental function, are associated with increased risk of CHD in offspring. Bridging the gap between animal models and human studies is crucial to understanding how placental abnormalities may contribute to human fetal CHD. The next steps will require new methodologies and multidisciplinary approaches combining innovative imaging modalities, comprehensive genomic testing, and histopathology. These studies may eventually lead to preventative strategies for some forms of CHD by targeting placental influences on fetal heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Leon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Lynn Bitar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Vidya Rajagopalan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Catherine Y Spong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Leon RL, Bitar L, Sharma K, Mir IN, Chalak LF. Postnatal Cerebral Hemodynamics and Placental Vascular Malperfusion Lesions in Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 156:72-78. [PMID: 38733857 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) have smaller brain volume at birth. High rates of placental vascular malperfusion lesions may play a role in disrupted brain development. METHODS This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of infants born between 2010 and 2019 who were diagnosed with a major cardiac defect requiring surgery in the first year of life. Doppler ultrasound RI of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery were calculated within the first 72 hours of life. Placentas were evaluated using a standardized approach. RESULTS Over the study period, there were 52 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), 22 with single-ventricle right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (SV-RVOTO), 75 with a two-ventricle cardiac defect (2V), and 25 with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). MCA Doppler RI were significantly higher for all subgroups of CHD compared with control subjects (0.68 ± 0.11 in control subjects compared with 0.78 ± 0.13 in HLHS, P = 0.03; 0.77 ± 0.10 in SV-RVOTO, P = 0.002; 0.78 ± 0.13 in 2V, P = 0.03; and 0.80 ± 0.14 in TGA; P = 0.001) with the highest average MCA RI in the TGA group. In subgroup analyses, placental fetal vascular malperfusion in the 2V group was associated with higher MCA RI, but this relationship was not present in other subgroups, nor in regards to maternal vascular malperfusion. CONCLUSIONS Major forms of CHD are associated with significantly higher cerebral artery RI postnatally, but placental vascular malperfusion lesions may not contribute to this hemodynamic adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Leon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Lynn Bitar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kavita Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Imran N Mir
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Lina F Chalak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Nijman M, van der Meeren LE, Nikkels PGJ, Stegeman R, Breur JMPJ, Jansen NJG, ter Heide H, Steenhuis TJ, de Heus R, Bekker MN, Claessens NHP, Benders MJNL. Placental Pathology Contributes to Impaired Volumetric Brain Development in Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e033189. [PMID: 38420785 PMCID: PMC10944035 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.033189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
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. We applied a placental pathology severity score to relate placental abnormalities to neurological outcome. Postnatal, presurgical magnetic resonance imaging was used to analyze brain volumes, gyrification, and brain injuries. Placental analyses revealed the following abnormalities: maternal vascular malperfusion lesions in 46%, nucleated red blood cells in 37%, chronic inflammatory lesions in 35%, delayed maturation in 30%, and placental weight below the 10th percentile in 28%. Severity of placental pathology was negatively correlated with cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, brainstem, cerebellar, and total brain volumes (r=-0.25 to -0.31, all P<0.05). When correcting for postmenstrual age at magnetic resonance imaging in linear regression, this association remained significant for cortical gray matter, cerebellar, and total brain volume (adjusted R2=0.25-0.47, all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Placental pathology occurs frequently in neonates with severe congenital heart disease and may contribute to impaired brain development, indicated by the association between placental pathology severity and reductions in postnatal cortical, cerebellar, and total brain volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Nijman
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Lotte E. van der Meeren
- Department of PathologyErasmus Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamthe Netherlands
- Department of PathologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Peter G. J. Nikkels
- Department of PathologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Raymond Stegeman
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of PediatricsBeatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenthe Netherlands
| | - Johannes M. P. J. Breur
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas J. G. Jansen
- Department of PediatricsBeatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenthe Netherlands
| | - Henriette ter Heide
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Trinette J. Steenhuis
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Roel de Heus
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySt. Antonius HospitalUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Mireille N. Bekker
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Nathalie H. P. Claessens
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of PediatricsWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Manon J. N. L. Benders
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
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5
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Cromb D, Slator P, Hall M, Price A, Alexander D, Counsell S, Hutter J. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging detects altered placental development in pregnancies affected by congenital heart disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3873412. [PMID: 38343847 PMCID: PMC10854304 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3873412/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation and is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The placenta is crucial for healthy fetal development and placental development is altered in pregnancy when the fetus has CHD. This study utilized advanced combined diffusion-relaxation MRI and a data-driven analysis technique to test the hypothesis that placental microstructure and perfusion are altered in CHD-affected pregnancies. 48 participants (36 controls, 12 CHD) underwent 67 MRI scans (50 control, 17 CHD). Significant differences in the weighting of two independent placental and uterine-wall tissue components were identified between the CHD and control groups (both pFDR<0.001), with changes most evident after 30 weeks gestation. A Significant trend over gestation in weighting for a third independent tissue component was also observed in the CHD cohort (R = 0.50, pFDR=0.04), but not in controls. These findings add to existing evidence that placental development is altered in CHD. The results may reflect alterations in placental perfusion or the changes in fetal-placental flow, villous structure and maturation that occur in CHD. Further research is needed to validate and better understand these findings and to understand the relationship between placental development, CHD, and its neurodevelopmental implications.
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6
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Rakha S, Mohamed AA, Yussif SM. Placental Histopathologic Findings in the Setting of Prenatally Diagnosed Major Congenital Heart Disease. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2023; 42:922-935. [PMID: 37817745 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2023.2266489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Studies suggest an association between placenta and congenital heart disease (CHD). We evaluated placental pathologies associated with major CHD. Methods: A prospective study included fetuses with major CHD, identified by fetal echocardiography. Fetal Doppler of umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), and placental histopathology were assessed. Outcome was measured by mortality at one month of age. Results: 21 cases were analyzed. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome was the commonest lesion (23.8%). Significant differences were detected among categories regarding MCA systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio & pulsatility index (p = 0.023; 0.036), respectively. Placental histopathologies were demonstrated in 18(85.7%), predominately involved fetal malperfusion lesions 16/21(76.2%), especially chorangiosis (33.3%). No significant association was detected between placental histopathological abnormalities and Doppler parameter, diagnostic category, or mortality. Conclusion: The high prevalence of abnormal placental histopathological findings in major fetal CHD provides additional evidence of placental-cardiac interlinkage. No association was detected between abnormal placental histopathology and fetal Doppler measurements or neonatal outcome of CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Rakha
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Alhussein Ahmed Mohamed
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa M Yussif
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Sanz JH, Cox S, Donofrio MT, Ishibashi N, McQuillen P, Peyvandi S, Schlatterer S. [Formula: see text] Trajectories of neurodevelopment and opportunities for intervention across the lifespan in congenital heart disease. Child Neuropsychol 2023; 29:1128-1154. [PMID: 36752083 PMCID: PMC10406974 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2023.2173162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental challenges across the lifespan. These are associated with neurological changes and potential acquired brain injury, which occur across a developmental trajectory and which are influenced by an array of medical, sociodemographic, environmental, and personal factors. These alterations to brain development lead to an array of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, which impact a characteristic set of skills over the course of development. The current paper reviews existing knowledge of aberrant brain development and brain injury alongside associated neurodevelopmental challenges across the lifespan. These provide a framework for discussion of emerging and potential interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes at each developmental stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline H Sanz
- Division of Neuropsychology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Stephany Cox
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Mary T Donofrio
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C
- Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Nobuyuki Ishibashi
- Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Hospital, Washington D.C
| | - Patrick McQuillen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shabnam Peyvandi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sarah Schlatterer
- Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
- Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C
- Department of Neurology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C
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Josowitz R, Linn R, Rychik J. The Placenta in Congenital Heart Disease: Form, Function and Outcomes. Neoreviews 2023; 24:e569-e582. [PMID: 37653088 DOI: 10.1542/neo.24-9-e569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The maternal-fetal environment, controlled and modulated by the placenta, plays a critical role in the development and well-being of the fetus, with long-term impact through programming of lifelong health. The fetal cardiovascular system and placenta emerge at the same time embryologically, and thus placental form and function are altered in the presence of congenital heart disease (CHD). In this review, we report on what is known about the placenta from a structural and functional perspective when there is CHD. We describe the various unique pathologic findings as well as the diagnostic imaging tools used to characterize placental function in utero. With growing interest in the placenta, a standardized approach to characterizing placental pathology has emerged. Furthermore, application of ultrasonography techniques and magnetic resonance imaging now allow for insights into placental blood flow and functionality in vivo. An improved understanding of the intriguing relationship between the placenta and the fetal cardiovascular system will provide opportunities to develop novel ways to optimize outcomes. Once better understood, therapeutic modulation of placental function offered during the vulnerable period of fetal plasticity may be one of the most impactful ways to alter the course of CHD and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Josowitz
- Division of Cardiology, Fetal Heart Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rebecca Linn
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jack Rychik
- Division of Cardiology, Fetal Heart Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Snoep MC, Bet BB, Zwanenburg F, Knobbe I, Linskens IH, Pajkrt E, Rozendaal L, Van der Meeren LE, Clur SA, Haak MC. Factors related to fetal demise in cases with congenital heart defects. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:101023. [PMID: 37220848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart defects are the most common congenital anomaly. Despite the increasing survival of these children, there is still an increased incidence of fetal demise, frequently attributed to cardiac failure. Considering that abnormal placental development has been described in congenital heart disease, our hypothesis is that placental insufficiency may contribute to fetal death in congenital heart disease. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess cases with fetal congenital heart disease and intrauterine demise, and analyze factors that are related to the demise. STUDY DESIGN All congenital heart disease cases diagnosed prenatally during the period January 2002 to January 2021 were selected from the regional prospective congenital heart disease registry, PRECOR. Multiple pregnancies and pregnancies with fetal trisomy 13 or 18, triploidy, and Turner's syndrome were excluded from the analysis, because fetal demise is attributed to the chromosomal abnormality in these cases. Cases were categorized into 4 groups based on the possible cause of fetal death as follows: cardiac failure, additional (genetic) diagnosis, placental insufficiency, and a group in which no cause was found. A separate analysis was performed for isolated congenital heart disease cases. RESULTS Of the 4806 cases in the PRECOR registry, 112 had fetal demise, of which 43 were excluded from the analysis (13 multiple pregnancies, 30 genetic). Of these, 47.8% were most likely related to cardiac failure, 42.0% to another (genetic) diagnosis, and 10.1% to placental insufficiency. No cases were allocated to the group with an unknown cause. Only 47.8% of the cases had isolated congenital heart disease, and in this group 21.2% was most likely related to placental insufficiency. CONCLUSION This study shows that in addition to cardiac failure and other (genetic) diagnoses, placental factors play an important role in fetal demise in congenital heart disease, especially in cases of isolated heart defects. Therefore, these findings support the importance of regular ultrasonographic assessment of fetal growth and placental function in fetal congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maartje C Snoep
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (Drs. Snoep, Drs. Zwanenburg, and Prof. Haak).
| | - Bo B Bet
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Drs. Bet, Drs. Linskens, and Prof. Pajkrt)
| | - Fleur Zwanenburg
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (Drs. Snoep, Drs. Zwanenburg, and Prof. Haak)
| | - Ingmar Knobbe
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (Drs. Knobbe and Drs. Rozendaal)
| | - Ingeborg H Linskens
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Drs. Bet, Drs. Linskens, and Prof. Pajkrt)
| | - Eva Pajkrt
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Drs. Bet, Drs. Linskens, and Prof. Pajkrt)
| | - Lieke Rozendaal
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (Drs. Knobbe and Drs. Rozendaal)
| | - Lotte E Van der Meeren
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (Drs. Van der Meeren); Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Drs. Van der Meeren)
| | - Sally-Ann Clur
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Drs. Clur)
| | - Monique C Haak
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (Drs. Snoep, Drs. Zwanenburg, and Prof. Haak)
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10
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Miles KG, Liu J, Tseng SY, DeFranco EA, Divanovic AA, Jones HN, Ollberding NJ, Cnota JF. Neonatal Depression Is Associated With 1-Year Mortality in Critical Congenital Heart Disease. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e028774. [PMID: 37260029 PMCID: PMC10381992 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Low 5-minute Apgar scores (AS) are predictive of term and preterm neonatal mortality but have not been well studied in the critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) population. We analyzed US national vital statistics data to evaluate the association between neonatal depression (AS 0-3) and 1-year mortality in CCHD. Methods and Results We performed a retrospective cohort study using 2014 to 2018 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cohort-linked birth certificate and infant death records. Five-minute AS were categorized as ≤3, 4 to 6, or ≥7. We calculated birth rates and associated mortality rates by AS group in infants with and without CCHD. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed neonatal, maternal, and pregnancy-related risk factors for neonatal depression and 1-year mortality. Of 11 642 neonates with CCHD (0.06% of all births), the 5.8% with AS 0 to 3 accounted for 23.3% of all 1-year CCHD mortality, with 69.9% of deaths occurring within 1 month of life. Gestational age at birth, growth restriction, extracardiac defects, race, and low maternal education were associated with an increased odds of AS 0 to 3 in neonates with CCHD relative to those with AS 7 to 10 on multivariable analysis. AS 0 to 3 was associated with 1-year CCHD mortality after adjusting for these factors, prenatal care, and delivery location (adjusted odds ratio, 14.57 [95% CI, 11.73-18.10]). Conclusions The AS is a routine clinical measure providing important prognostic information in CCHD. These findings suggest that prenatal and perinatal factors, beyond those included in current risk stratification tools, are important for CCHD outcomes. Multidisciplinary collaboration to understand the pathophysiology underlying neonatal depression may help identify interventions to improve CCHD mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Liu
- Division of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnatiOH
| | | | - Emily A. DeFranco
- Division of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnatiOH
| | | | - Helen N. Jones
- Department of Physiology and AgingUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFL
| | - Nicholas J. Ollberding
- Division of Biostatistics and EpidemiologyCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOH
| | - James F. Cnota
- The Heart InstituteCincinnati Children’s HospitalCincinnatiOH
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O'Hare CB, Mangin-Heimos KS, Gu H, Edmunds M, Bebbington M, Lee CK, He M, Ortinau CM. Placental delayed villous maturation is associated with fetal congenital heart disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:231.e1-231.e11. [PMID: 35985515 PMCID: PMC10436378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
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. This limits the generalizability of current research and the ability to determine the specific placental abnormalities associated with congenital heart disease. OBJECTIVE This study applied consensus statement guidelines (known as the Amsterdam criteria) for placental pathology interpretation to compare the frequency and pattern of abnormalities in pregnancies with fetal congenital heart disease to demographically matched control pregnancies and evaluate for differences in placental abnormalities by cardiac physiology. STUDY DESIGN A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2013 to June 2019. Infants with a prenatal diagnosis of moderate-severe congenital heart disease who were born at ≥37 weeks of gestation were included. A control group born at ≥37 weeks of gestation but without fetal congenital heart disease or other major pregnancy complications was matched to the congenital heart disease group on maternal race and ethnicity and infant sex. Using the Amsterdam criteria, placental pathology findings were categorized as delayed villous maturation, maternal vascular malperfusion, fetal vascular malperfusion, and inflammatory lesions. The frequency of placental abnormalities was compared between groups, and logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association of clinical and sociodemographic factors with delayed villous maturation, maternal vascular malperfusion, and fetal vascular malperfusion. RESULTS There were 194 pregnancies with fetal congenital heart disease and 105 controls included, of whom 83% in the congenital heart disease group and 82% in the control group were of non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity. Compared with controls, pregnancies with fetal congenital heart disease had higher rates of delayed villous maturation (6% vs 19%; P<.001) and maternal vascular malperfusion (19% vs 34%; P=.007) but not fetal vascular malperfusion (6% vs 10%; P=.23). Infants with congenital heart disease with 2-ventricle anatomy displayed the highest odds of delayed villous maturation compared with controls (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-15.7; P<.01). Maternal vascular malperfusion was 2.2 times higher (P=.02) for infants with 2-ventricle anatomy and 2.9 times higher (P=.02) for infants with single-ventricle physiology with pulmonic obstruction. Within the congenital heart disease group, delayed villous maturation was associated with higher maternal body mass index, polyhydramnios, larger infant birth head circumference, and infant respiratory support in the delivery room, whereas maternal vascular malperfusion was associated with oligohydramnios. In multivariable models adjusting for cardiac diagnosis, associations of delayed villous maturation persisted for infant birth head circumference (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.5; P=.02) and infant respiratory support in the delivery room (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-6.5; P=.007). CONCLUSION Pregnancies with fetal congenital heart disease displayed higher rates of delayed villous maturation and maternal vascular malperfusion than controls, suggesting that placental maldevelopment may relate to maternal factors. Future investigations are needed to determine the association of these abnormalities with postnatal infant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare B O'Hare
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
| | - Kathryn S Mangin-Heimos
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Hongjie Gu
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Michael Bebbington
- Department of Women's Health, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Caroline K Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Mai He
- Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Cynthia M Ortinau
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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Stanek J. Patterns of placental injury in various types of fetal congenital heart disease. J Perinat Med 2022. [PMID: 36573345 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2022-0478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fetal blood circulation may be modified in congenital heart disease (CHD). This retrospective analysis was performed to study whether the type of CHD is associated with specific placental pathology. METHODS 3 types of CHD based on presumed proportion of placental and systemic blood distribution in fetal circulation were analyzed: Group 1: 89 cases with low placental blood content (hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of great arteries, coarctation of aorta), Group 2: 71 placentas with intermediate placental and systemic blood content due to increased intracardiac blood mixing (tetralogy of Fallot, truncus arteriosus, double inlet/outlet ventricle), and Group 3: 24 placentas with high placental blood content (tricuspid or pulmonary atresia, Ebstein anomaly). Frequencies of 27 independent clinical and 47 placental phenotypes of 184 placentas in those three groups were statistically compared. RESULTS The most advanced gestational age at delivery, and large vessel (global) fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM) were most common in Group 1, while macerated stillbirths, neonatal mortality, abnormal amniotic fluid volume (oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios), other congenital anomalies, distal villous lesions of FVM, placental edema and amnion nodosum were most common in Groups 2 and 3, although the frequencies of placental lesions were statistically not significant. CONCLUSIONS Left heart obstructive lesions potentially associated with brain maldevelopment show increase in lesions of global FVM (in aggregate and individually fetal vascular ectasia, stem vessel obliteration and intramural fibrin deposition) as may be seen in umbilical cord compromise. CHD with increased intracardiac blood mixing or with right heart defects is associated with average preterm gestational age at delivery and placental lesions of distal villous FVM, villous edema and amnion nodosum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Stanek
- Division of Pathology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Associations between Maternal Risk Factors and Intrinsic Placental and Fetal Brain Functional Properties in Congenital Heart Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315178. [PMID: 36499505 PMCID: PMC9738149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between maternal risk factors (MRFs) (particularly pre-gravid obesity, diabetes, and hypertension) and congenital heart disease (CHD) to placental and fetal brain outcomes is poorly understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that MRF and CHD would be associated with reduced intrinsic placental and fetal brain function using a novel non-invasive technique. Pregnant participants with and without MRF and fetal CHD were prospectively recruited and underwent feto-placental MRI. Using intrinsic properties of blood oxygen level dependent imaging (BOLD) we quantified spatiotemporal variance of placenta and fetal brain. MRFs and CHD were correlated with functional characteristics of the placenta and fetal brain. Co-morbid MRF (hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) reduced spatiotemporal functional variance of placenta and fetal brain (p < 0.05). CHD predicted reduced fetal brain temporal variance compared to non-CHD (p < 0.05). The presence of both MRF and CHD was associated with reduced intrinsic pBOLD temporal variance (p = 0.047). There were no significant interactions of MRFs and CHD status on either temporal or spatial variance of intrinsic brain BOLD. MRF and CHD reduced functional characteristic of placenta and brain in fetuses. MRF modification and management during pregnancy may have the potential to not only provide additional risk stratification but may also improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Leon RL, Kalvacherla V, Andrews MM, Thomas JM, Mir IN, Chalak LF. Placental pathologic lesions associated with stroke in term neonates. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:920680. [PMID: 36157451 PMCID: PMC9492924 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.920680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the birth prevalence of perinatal stroke in term born infants at our high-volume delivery center and assess the frequency of both gross and histologic placental pathologies associated with perinatal stroke using the Amsterdam Placental Workshop Group Consensus Statement guidelines and definitions. STUDY DESIGN A single-center retrospective cohort study spanning 2010-2020. RESULTS There were 129,759 live births at Parkland Hospital during the study period and a total of 18 term born infants leading to a birth prevalence of 1 in 6,829 infants. Perinatal risk factors were found in all but one patient, and 74% presented with seizures. Pathologic placental examination was available in 56% of the cohort and only one patient had normal placental examination. Acute histologic chorioamnionitis was described in five placentas (50%) and an additional two had isolated umbilical and/or chorionic plate vasculitis with or without funisitis compared to a rate of 28% with acute inflammation in a Control group. Chronic inflammation in the form of villitis of unknown etiology was described in three of the acutely inflamed placentas and was high-grade in each of those while none of the placentas from our Control group showed evidence of any chronic lesion. CONCLUSION Both acute and chronic placental inflammation are common in perinatal stroke; placental examination should be considered an essential component to the diagnostic workup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Leon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- *Correspondence: Rachel L. Leon,
| | | | | | - Jennifer M. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Imran N. Mir
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lina F. Chalak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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