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Background: Maternal diabetes adversely affects fetal cardiovascular system development. Previous studies have reported that the fetuses of mothers with diabetes exhibit both structural and functional changes; nevertheless, prior studies have not examined the association between glucose control and fetal cardiac morphology and performance. Thus, the objective was to determine the association between fetal cardiac morphology and function and maternal glucose control in type 1 diabetes and to compare the differences in measured cardiac parameters between the fetuses of mothers with diabetes and healthy controls. Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal case-control study — including 62 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy pregnant women — fetal cardiac assessment using B-mode, M-mode, and spectral pulsed-wave Doppler was performed in the second and third trimesters. In women with T1DM, glycated hemoglobin and data obtained from glucose sensors — including the percentage of time in, below, and above the range (TIR, TBR, and TAR, respectively), and coefficient of variation (CV) — were analyzed across three time periods: the last menstrual period to 13 (V1), 14–22 (V2), and 23–32 weeks (V3) of gestation. Fetal cardiac indices were compared between groups, and the correlation between glucose control and fetal cardiac indices was assessed. Results: At 28–32 weeks, the fetuses of women with T1DM exhibited increased left ventricular end-diastolic length, relative interventricular septum thickness, right ventricular cardiac output, and pulmonary valve peak systolic velocity compared with healthy controls. At 18–22 weeks, pulmonary and aortic valve diameters, left and right ventricular stroke volumes, and left cardiac output inversely correlated with the CV and glycated hemoglobin levels at V1 and V2. Furthermore, at 28–32 weeks, pulmonary and aortic valve diameters, left ventricular stroke volume, cardiac output, and right/left atrioventricular valve ratio inversely correlated with the TBR at V1, V2, and V3. Moreover, diastolic functional parameters correlated with the TAR and glycated hemoglobin levels, particularly after the first trimester. Conclusion: In women with T1DM, maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy correlates with fetal diastolic function, whereas glucose variability and hypoglycemia inversely correlate with fetal left ventricular systolic function in the second and third trimesters. Key message: This prospective longitudinal study demonstrates that in women with T1DM, maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy correlates with fetal diastolic function. In contrast, glucose variability and hypoglycemia inversely correlate with fetal left ventricular systolic function in the second and third trimesters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guidelines. The Czech Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Czech Medical Association of J. E. Purkyně issues this opinion in connection with statements of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international authorities regarding the concerns about COVID-19 infection in pregnancy. The impact of this year's coronavirus COVID-19 infection on pregnant women seems to be less severe than in previous years of H1N1 influenza type A, SARS-CoV or MERS-CoV. From the information published so far it was not possible to prove the transmission of infection from mother to fetus. It also seems that there is no risk of vertical transmission during breastfeeding. This opinion does not replace the recommendations and opinions issued by governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Health and others, and concerns solely consultation of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]