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.