Digital illustration depicting a baby's heart surrounded by protective hands, symbolizing hope and progress in congenital heart disease research.

Tiny Hearts, Big Risks: How Fetal Growth Impacts Newborns With Congenital Heart Disease

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"New research sheds light on the critical link between a baby's size at birth and their chances of survival if they're born with a congenital heart defect."

Every parent dreams of a healthy baby, and for those expecting, the journey often involves navigating a sea of information about prenatal care, birth plans, and the health of their little one. But what happens when a newborn faces a congenital heart disease (CHD)? CHD, a condition affecting the structure of the heart, affects a significant number of infants. For these newborns, the size at birth, or fetal growth, becomes a critical factor in their health outcomes. Recent research has illuminated the complex relationship between fetal growth and the well-being of babies with CHD, offering new insights for medical professionals and expectant parents alike.

This article dives into a comprehensive study that explores how a baby's size at birth can significantly influence their chances of survival. The study focuses on the relationship between birth weight and the risk of mortality in infants with CHD. By examining the impact of fetal growth, this research highlights the importance of early interventions and personalized care strategies for babies with CHD.

Understanding these connections is essential for both medical professionals and parents. The research not only enhances our grasp of CHD but also equips healthcare providers with crucial insights for surgical planning and family counseling. For expecting parents, this knowledge offers a deeper understanding of the potential challenges and the importance of early intervention in ensuring the best possible start for their baby.

Decoding the Study: Key Findings and Their Implications

Digital illustration depicting a baby's heart surrounded by protective hands, symbolizing hope and progress in congenital heart disease research.

The core of the research lies in analyzing the impact of birth weight Z-score on the mortality of infants with CHD. The study divided the infants into groups based on gestational age (preterm, early-term, and full-term) to understand how fetal growth affects each group differently. The researchers' approach helps to clarify the impact of fetal growth on mortality rates for newborns diagnosed with CCHD.

The research unveiled striking differences in how birth weight influences the survival of infants with CHD, based on their gestational age:

Preterm Infants: Among preterm infants, only those with the most severe growth restriction (a Z-score of less than -2, indicating very small for gestational age) showed an increased risk of mortality.
Early-Term Infants: Infants born in the early-term period (37-38 weeks) showed a different pattern. Here, even mild to moderate growth restriction (Z-scores between -0.5 and -2) was linked to an increased risk of mortality. This finding underscores a heightened vulnerability in this group.
Full-Term Infants: For full-term babies, only the most severe growth restriction (Z-score less than -2) was associated with higher mortality.

These findings provide crucial insights for medical professionals. They highlight that the impact of fetal growth varies considerably depending on the gestational age. For instance, the study revealed that early-term infants with CCHD are more vulnerable to the effects of lower birth weight. It also showed that preterm and full-term infants react differently, with the most severe cases of growth restriction posing the biggest threat.

Looking Ahead: Research, Hope, and Improved Outcomes

This research is a step forward in helping to understand the complexities of newborn heart disease, offering new insights to doctors and parents. The study's findings give valuable information for counseling families and for doctors planning treatments, helping to make things better for babies with these health challenges. As the medical field evolves, this research encourages more studies on the long-term health of babies with CHD, offering real hope for better lives.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1161/jaha.118.009693, Alternate LINK

Title: Effect Of Fetal Growth On 1‐Year Mortality In Neonates With Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association

Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Authors: Martina A. Steurer, Rebecca J. Baer, Edmund Burke, Shabnam Peyvandi, Scott Oltman, Christina D. Chambers, Mary E. Norton, Larry Rand, Satish Rajagopal, Kelli K. Ryckman, Sky K. Feuer, Liang Liang, Randi A. Paynter, Molly Mccarthy, Anita J. Moon‐Grady, Roberta L. Keller, Laura L. Jelliffe‐Pawlowski

Published: 2018-09-04

Everything You Need To Know

What is Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), and why is fetal growth so important for newborns who have it?

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) refers to structural defects of the heart present at birth. Fetal growth, reflected in a baby's size at birth, is critical for newborns with CHD because it significantly influences their chances of survival and overall health outcomes. Research indicates a complex relationship between fetal growth, specifically birth weight, and the well-being of babies with CHD, thus underscoring the importance of understanding this connection for improved medical care and parental awareness. Future research could explore the interplay of genetic factors and environmental influences on fetal growth in the context of CHD.

How does the birth weight Z-score relate to mortality risk in infants diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

The birth weight Z-score is a statistical measure that indicates how far an infant's birth weight deviates from the average birth weight for their gestational age and sex. Research analyzing the impact of birth weight Z-score on the mortality of infants with CHD shows that a lower Z-score, indicating growth restriction, is associated with an increased risk of mortality. However, the degree of risk varies depending on the gestational age at birth, with early-term infants being more vulnerable to even mild to moderate growth restriction.

In what ways does the impact of fetal growth on infants with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) differ between preterm, early-term, and full-term babies?

The impact of fetal growth on infants with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) varies significantly depending on whether they are preterm, early-term, or full-term. Preterm infants with CHD only face an increased mortality risk if they have severe growth restriction (Z-score less than -2). Early-term infants are more vulnerable, with even mild to moderate growth restriction (Z-scores between -0.5 and -2) increasing their mortality risk. Full-term infants, similar to preterm infants, only show a higher mortality risk with severe growth restriction (Z-score less than -2). These differences highlight the importance of tailored care strategies based on gestational age.

What are the implications of these Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) research findings for medical professionals and expectant parents?

For medical professionals, these Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) research findings underscore the importance of personalized care strategies based on gestational age and birth weight Z-scores, particularly for early-term infants. It enhances their understanding of the nuances of CHD, equipping them with crucial insights for surgical planning and family counseling. For expectant parents, this knowledge offers a deeper understanding of potential challenges and the importance of early intervention in ensuring the best possible start for their baby. Future research may explore the effectiveness of various interventions aimed at improving fetal growth and outcomes for infants with CHD.

How can future research build upon these findings to improve outcomes for babies with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

Future research can build upon these findings by conducting more studies on the long-term health of babies with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), focusing on the effectiveness of early interventions and personalized care strategies based on gestational age and birth weight. Further exploration into the interplay of genetic factors, environmental influences, and specific types of CHD could offer deeper insights. Additionally, research can explore innovative treatments and technologies to improve fetal growth and reduce mortality risk in infants with CHD, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and better lives for these children.