Observational Study of Healthy Pregnant Women at High Altitude and Sea Level in Bolivia Tracking Heart and Baby Health During and After Pregnancy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of living at high altitude during pregnancy by following two groups of healthy pregnant women one group residing at elevations above 3,500 meters and another residing at sea level. The study aims to understand how chronic low oxygen levels at high altitudes affect heart function, especially the right side of the heart, fetal growth, and the role of nitric oxide in pregnancy complications related to blood vessel and heart function. The study involves detailed heart ultrasound examinations to assess right heart anatomy and function, including measurements of pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular performance. Researchers will also track fetal growth before and after birth, examine placental characteristics, and measure nitric oxide-related substances in maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, and placental tissue. These assessments will be correlated with oxygen levels and altitude exposure. Flow-mediated dilation tests will be performed in the high altitude group to evaluate blood vessel function. Participants will be monitored through late pregnancy around 35 weeks and into the postpartum period about 6 weeks after delivery. Researchers will collect data on heart and fetal measurements, nitric oxide levels, and birth weight. This comprehensive monitoring aims to clarify how high altitude impacts cardiovascular health and fetal development during and after pregnancy, with ongoing follow-up until postpartum.

A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study of Pregnant Women Residing at High Altitude in Bolivia