Oxygen boost for unborn babies with heart disease shows promise

NCT ID NCT03944837

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: The Hospital for Sick Children Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether giving extra oxygen to pregnant mothers carrying babies with congenital heart disease (CHD) could increase oxygen levels in the fetal brain. Researchers used ultrasound and MRI to measure changes in 53 fetuses with different types of CHD. The goal was to see if this approach might one day be used as a treatment to support brain growth before birth.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: oxygen gas
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a prenatal oxygen therapy to improve brain development in babies with congenital heart disease.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study (53 participants) that only measures short-term effects. It does not test long-term outcomes or safety of chronic oxygen use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

congenital heart disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

The Hospital for Sick Children

Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X8, Canada

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.