[1:2 matched case-control study on the risk factors related to congenital heart disease during the peri-conceptional period]
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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Analysis of Congenital Heart Defects in Mouse Embryos Using Qualitative and Quantitative Histological Methods
Published on: March 10, 2020
Xia Li1, Shengnan Xie1, Yin Wang2
1Department of Maternal and Child Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji College of Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Insights
Maternal mental stress, malnutrition, and abnormal childbearing history increase congenital heart disease (CHD) risk. However, early pregnancy calcium supplementation can reduce CHD incidence, highlighting the importance of periconceptional care.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are a significant concern in offspring health.
- The periconceptional period is critical for fetal development and disease prevention.
- Understanding risk factors during this period is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose:
- To identify potential risk factors during the periconceptional period associated with the occurrence of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in offspring.
- To analyze the influence of various maternal factors on the incidence of CHD.
Summary:
- A case-control study involving 138 cases and 276 controls identified key risk factors for CHD.
- Maternal mental stress, pregnancy malnutrition, and abnormal childbearing history were significantly associated with increased CHD risk.
- Conversely, calcium supplementation during early pregnancy demonstrated a protective effect, reducing the risk of CHD.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing maternal mental well-being and nutritional status during the periconceptional period.
- Highlights the potential benefit of calcium supplementation in mitigating CHD risk.
- Emphasizes the need for enhanced periconceptional care strategies to reduce CHD incidence.
Objective:
To explore the possible risk factors during the periconceptional period relevant on the occurrence of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the offspring.
Methods:
A 1:2 matched case-control study was designed. From January 2012 to January 2014 in a district from Wuhan city, HuBei province, children were proved by MCH institutions through the "free screening for congenital heart disease" program. Cases with CHD were screened out by conventional auscultation, echocardiography figure and confirmed by physicians from the high-level hospitals. According to age, gender, community paired healthy children were chosen as controls. EpiData 3.1 software was used to input data, using SPSS 11.5 software to analyze the possible risk factors under simple and multiple factors logistic regression.
Results:
Information from parents of 138 cases and 276 controls was collected. 27 major factors from the conditional logistic regression analysis showed that factors as:mental stress during early pregnancy, calcium supplement in the early stage of pregnancy, pregnancy malnutrition, having histories of abnormal childbearing, women with multiparous experiences and residence nearby sources of pollution (enterprises) etc. were associated with the incidence of congenital heart disease in the offspring. Data from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors as:mental stress during early pregnancy (HR = 3.35, 95%CI: 1.28-8.79), pregnancy malnutrition during pregnancy (HR = 1.50, 95% CI:1.10-2.03) and with abnormal childbearing history (HR = 1.62, 95% CI:1.03-2.57) were risk factors. However, calcium supplement during early pregnancy (HR = 0.40, 95% CI:0.25-0.65) could reduce the risk of CHD.
Conclusion:
The occurrence of CHD might be related to factors as:mental stress during early pregnancy, calcium supplement during early pregnancy, pregnancy malnutrition and having histories of abnormal childbearing. Peri-conceptional care should be strengthened to reduce the incidence of congenital heart disease.
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