Oxygen boost for unborn babies with heart disease shows promise

NCT ID NCT03944837

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The Hospital for Sick Children

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X8, Canada