Emotional burden and course of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease – longitudinal digital assessment of symptoms of anxiety, depression and medical outcomes of the child

Project start
Institution: Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Klinik für Angeborene Herzfehler/Kinderkardiologie, Berlin
Applicant: Priv.-Doz. Dr. Constanze Pfitzer
EKFS funding line: First and Second Applications


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PD Dr. Constanze Pfitzer and Prof. Dr. Katharina Schmitt explain the digital survey on emotional well-being after prenatal diagnosis of a congenital heart defect to a study patient.
(© DHZB/Sarah Paff)

Heart ultrasound of the unborn child is an established procedure for the early diagnosis of a congenital heart disease (CHD). This enables parents to receive early, comprehensive counselling regarding the further course of pregnancy and prognosis of their unborn child with CHD. The diagnosis of CHD can cause considerable emotional stress for the mother and can sometimes also affect the unborn child: delayed growth and circulatory problems in the womb as well as prematurity can occur. However, we know little about this possible correlation. This long-term observational study aims to clarify this by following the mother and her unborn child with CHD from prenatal diagnosis to heart surgery.