A recent study published in JAMA Network Open highlights the impact of prenatal care on the delivery outcomes of neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD). Conducted by a team led by Christina Laternser, Ph.D., from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, the research suggests that increased prenatal visits may influence the likelihood of delivery at specialized cardiac centers.
The study, released online on November 9, 2025, coincided with the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held in New Orleans from November 7 to 10. It examined data from neonates born with CHDs in Illinois between 2013 and 2021. Out of a total of 12,113 neonates with CHDs, 3,076 (25.4%) were delivered at a cardiac center, while 1,579 (13.0%) were classified as having severe CHD.
Among the participants, the study found that 2.3% had no prenatal care, while 13.4% received inadequate prenatal care. The remaining neonates were categorized into various levels of adequate care: 10.8% had intermediate care, 34.8% received adequate care, and 38.8% benefited from adequate-plus care.
The research revealed a significant association regarding the initiation of prenatal care. For fetuses diagnosed with mild CHD, the likelihood of being delivered at a cardiac center increased by 10.5%, and for those with severe CHD, the probability rose by 30.2%. Notably, for mild CHD cases, adequate-plus prenatal care was linked to a 6.7% percentage point decrease in the likelihood of delivery at a cardiac center compared to those receiving intermediate care. In contrast, for severe CHD cases, the frequency of prenatal visits did not appear to influence delivery locations.
Dr. Joyce Woo, the senior author of the study, emphasized the critical role of prenatal care in ensuring that infants with congenital heart defects are born at facilities equipped to provide the necessary level of care based on their clinical needs.
The findings underscore the importance of tailored prenatal care for expectant mothers, particularly those with high-risk pregnancies involving congenital heart defects. Enhanced awareness and access to adequate prenatal services can potentially lead to better outcomes for both mothers and their newborns with CHDs.
Further details on the study can be found in the article titled “Prenatal Care and Perinatal Regionalization for Congenital Heart Defects” by Christina Laternser et al., published in JAMA Network Open in 2025.
