Effect of Maternal Cardiac Disease on Perinatal Outcome

Abstract
Perinatal outcome of 223 pregnancies complicated by maternal cardiac disease, over a 5-year period has been studied. Mean birth-weights of these babies were compared to the Institute's reference neonatal weight curves at different periods of gestation and found lower than the reference. The mean difference of 150 g was statistically significant. The incidence of prematurity, small for gestational age and perinatal mortality was analyzed according to the risk factors i.e. type, duration and severity of symptoms. The perinatal outcome was directly proportional to the severity of symptoms, irrespective of the type and duration of heart disease.