Myocardial Deformation Before and After Birth

Knowledge on the changes in myocardial function in the last weeks before birth and during the first year of life is limited. Through fetal and post-natal echocardiography we intend to describe these changes using myocardial tissue recognition techniques (Speckle tracking echocardiography and Tissue Doppler echocardiography) in healthy neonates, born to term of healthy women after uncomplicated pregnancies. We will compare the findings in this cohort to a cohort of neonates born to term of women with severe pre-pregnancy obesity. Sick neonates in intensive care units with various cardiac and non-cardiac conditions are often exposed to treatment that may affect both their cardiac function and important echo-variables per se. Using echocardiography, we will examine these changes in neonates treated with blood transfusion, catecholamines and in those treated with Ibuprofen due to a haemodynamic significant arterial duct.