Conclusion
The study demonstrates that GDM is associated with reduction in fetal cardiac function and that cardiac functional changes persist in infancy. Further studies with longer follow up are needed to determine whether the fetuses and children of women with GDM that demonstrate such cardiac changes are the ones who will be at increased long term cardiovascular risk.
Acknowledgement: This study was funded by a grant from the Fetal Medicine Foundation (Charity No: 1037116). The ultrasound machines for fetal echocardiography and the software for speckle tracking analysis were provided free-of-charge by Canon Medical Systems Europe BV, ZOETERMEER, The Netherlands. These bodies had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.