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[Seasonal differences in the occurrence of congenital heart defects]
Insights
Congenital heart defect incidence in Bohemia was 6.64 per 1000 live births. Seasonal variations were observed, with higher rates in October, potentially linked to early pregnancy influenza epidemics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiology
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Context:
- A prospective study was conducted in Bohemia from 1977 to 1984.
- Data included 664,218 live births to assess congenital heart defect (CHD) incidence.
- Diagnostic procedures involved specialized pediatric cardiology examinations and autopsies for deceased infants.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence and seasonal patterns of congenital heart defects in a large infant cohort.
- To investigate potential correlations between birth month and CHD occurrence.
- To explore associations between seasonal factors, such as influenza epidemics, and CHD rates.
Summary:
- A total of 4409 infants were diagnosed with CHD, yielding an incidence of 6.64 per 1000 live births.
- Statistically significant seasonal variations in CHD incidence were found, peaking in October.
- Individual CHD types exhibited distinct seasonal patterns, independent of total live birth numbers.
Impact:
- Findings highlight seasonal influences on CHD occurrence, suggesting potential environmental or infectious triggers during early pregnancy.
- This research provides a foundation for further etiological investigations into congenital heart defects.
- Understanding seasonal variations can inform public health strategies and prenatal care recommendations.
Abstract:
Incidence of congenital heart defects was studied prospectively in all 664,218 children born in 1977 to 1984. Those suspected of having a heart disease were examined at the center specialized in pediatric cardiology. All children who died were autopsied and those in whom a heart defect was proved were included in our series. In total, 4409 infants (6.64/1000 live births) were born with a heart defect in Bohemia. Differences from one year to another were not statistically significant. The incidence of infants with a heart defect was highest in October, lowest in December, June and July (p less than 0.05). Seasonal incidence of individual forms of heart defects differed as well. The seasonal variation was not influenced by the total number of live births. High incidence of congenital heart defects in infants born in October and November coincides with the epidemics of influenza in early pregnancy.