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CONGENITAL HEART MALFORMATIONS IN NEWBORN BABIES WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT
Insights
Congenital heart malformations are a significant public health issue, particularly in low birth weight newborns. Early detection and interdisciplinary collaboration are crucial for managing these complex cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart malformations (CHMs) are a major public health concern.
- CHMs occur frequently in low birth weight newborns, increasing complication risks.
- Understanding CHM epidemiology in this population is vital for timely therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of cardiovascular malformations in low birth weight newborns.
- To explore correlations between CHMs and genetic/environmental factors.
- To assess complications and guide therapeutic management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 271 pediatric cardiology patients (Jan 2011-Dec 2013).
- Data collected via anamnesis, clinical, biological, and imagistic examinations.
- Patients analyzed based on malformation type, origin, and birth weight status.
Main Results:
- CHMs accounted for 44.13% of pediatric cardiovascular hospitalizations.
- Non-cyanogenic CHMs (95%) were more prevalent than cyanogenic (5%).
- High incidence in premature low birth weight (48%) and very low birth weight (22%) infants; 71% from rural areas. Common complications include heart failure, hypertension, and respiratory infections. Mortality peaked in the first year, with one-third linked to chromosomal abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- CHMs in low birth weight newborns represent a substantial portion of pediatric cardiovascular cases.
- Association with other congenital anomalies and complications necessitates interdisciplinary care.
- Close monitoring of anatomical and functional parameters is essential for optimal development.
Unlabelled:
Congenital heart malformations represent a public health problem, holding a significant percentage of the total of heart diseases. Beside the elevated frequency of the malformations, we also notice their occurrence in newborn babies with low birth weight, increasing, thus, the risk of complications and late therapeutic approach. The goal of the study was to highlight the general and particular aspects of cardiovascular malformations epidemiology in newborn babies with low weight at birth, the correlation of the malformations with implied genetic and environmental factors, assessing the complications and their procedures on the therapeutic management.
Material And Methods:
Our study was performed on a group of 271 patients, hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Cardiology of "Sf. Maria" Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children of Iasi, during January 2011-December 2013. The patients were assessed based on anamnesis, clinical, biological and imagistic exam.
Results:
The study lot was divided according to the type of the structural defect: 95% of the patients were diagnosed with non-cyanogenic congenital heart malformations and 5% with cyanogenic congenital heart malformations. Regarding the patient's origin background, we notice an elevated frequency of the rural environment (71%). The incidence of the malformations was high in premature low birth weight (48%), followed by premature very low birth weight (22%). In evolution, congenital heart malformations often get more complicated heart failure, arterial hypertension and respiratory infections being most often met. Mortality was maximum in the first year of life, a third of the cases being associated with chromosomal malformations.
Conclusions:
Congenital heart malformations in newborn patients with low weight at birth represented an elevated percentage of 44.13% of the total of the cases hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases from the Department of Pediatric Cardiology of Iasi. Many cases were associated with other congenital malformations or different complications, being necessary an interdisciplinary collaboration to adequately monitor the anatom5ical and functional parameters and to ensure a somatic and mental development as normal as possible.
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