To investigate cardiac impairment, the investigators will perform transthoracic echocardiography in all enrolled pregnant women and infants, with a focus on right-sided cardiac anatomy and function, including pulmonary artery pressures, right ventricular thickness, right ventricular systolic performance, and indices of pulmonary vascular load.
To investigate the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on fetal growth, the investigators will measure intrauterine and post-delivery growth parameters, assess placental weight and histologic features, and correlate these findings with maternal oxygenation status and altitude exposure.
To assess nitric oxide production and consumption, the investigators will quantify nitric oxide-related metabolites (NO metabolomics) in maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, and placental tissue in both cohorts, and correlate these biomarkers with pulmonary arterial pressures, and right ventricular function. The investigators will also assess flow-mediated dilation in the high altitude cohort and relate these measures of endothelial function to pulmonary vascular and obstetric outcomes.
