The College of Medicine discussed a master’s thesis for the Department of Medical Physiology on the systolic and diastolic performance of the left ventricle in premature and mature infants during the first week of postnatal life which was submitted by the student Heba Kh. Al-Hashemi on Monday 4th October 2021.

The aim of the thesis was to examine left ventricular systolic and diastolic performance in preemie and mature infants during the first week of postnatal life in order to identify early cardiovascular abnormalities, guide therapeutic intervention, and improve the overall outcome to obtain quantitative information about left ventricular systolic and diastolic function as well as to compare the difference in Left ventricular function coefficients in full-term versus premature neonates.

It was found that apparently stable preterm neonates who were evaluated by echocardiography during the first seven days of postnatal life had a change in parameters of systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle when compared with full-term intrauterine neonates at the same postnatal age, which may relate to: largely due to developmental impact, maturation, and diminished early filling.

The discussion committee consisted of Prof Dr Jawad A. Salih (Chairman), Prof Dr Riyad A. Al-Obaidi (Member), Assistant Prof Dr Afraa M. Al-Amin (Member), and Lecturer Dr Zaid Q. Omar (Member and Supervisor).

Part of the discussion was attended by the Deans of the Colleges of Medicine and Sciences, Prof Dr Basil Mohammednather Saeed, and Assistant Professor Dr Hiyam A. Al-Taeei. It was also attended by some former and current members of the College Council, the teaching staff of various scientific departments of the Colleges of Medicine of University of Mosul and Nineveh, and a number of postgraduate students.

After the discussion, the committee’s decision was read including accepting the thesis with necessary amendments to it and awarding the student the master’s degree.