Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on fetal heart function in 60 pregnant women who contracted
the virus during their second and third trimesters. Key parameters such as cardiothoracic index, aorta-to-pulmonary
artery diameter ratio, left ventricular contraction fraction, and blood flow velocities in the pulmonary artery, aorta,
tricuspid, and mitral valves were assessed using echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound. Comparisons with a
control group of 40 healthy pregnant women revealed no significant changes in heart morphology but identified
functional alterations, including increased fetal heart rates and arrhythmias. These findings suggest that COVID-19
may disrupt uterine-placental blood circulation, affecting fetal heart function. The study emphasizes the need for
routine Doppler assessments during prenatal care to monitor for potential complications, particularly after 32 weeks
of gestation. Future research should focus on understanding the long-term effects of these functional changes and
developing preventive measures to minimize the cardiovascular impact of maternal COVID-19 on fetal health.
