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Birth prevalence of congenital heart disease: A cross-sectional observational study from North India
Anita Saxena1, Anurag Mehta2, Mamta Sharma3
1All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 8.07 per 1000 live births in North India, with acyanotic types like Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) being most common. This study highlights the prevalence and patterns of significant CHDs in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a significant global health concern.
- Accurate birth prevalence data is crucial for understanding the burden of CHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the birth prevalence and epidemiological patterns of congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns.
- To utilize echocardiography for diagnosing CHD in a North Indian community hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year cross-sectional observational study screened 20,307 newborns.
- Newborns underwent clinical examination, pulse oximetry, and screening echocardiography.
- Focus was on identifying significant CHDs and their types.
Main Results:
- The birth prevalence of significant CHDs was 8.07 per 1000 live births.
- Acyanotic CHDs (79.9%) were more common than cyanotic CHDs (20.1%).
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) was the most frequent acyanotic CHD (5.7/1000 live births).
Conclusions:
- The observed CHD birth prevalence aligns with global estimates.
- Acyanotic CHDs, predominantly VSDs, constitute the majority of cases.
- Cyanotic CHDs, though less common, represent a significant proportion of pediatric cardiac conditions.
Objective:
To assess the birth prevalence and pattern of congenital heart disease (CHD) using echocardiography in babies born in a community hospital of North India.
Methods:
A cross-sectional observational study conducted over a period of 3 years. Newborns born over a specific 8-h period of the day were recruited in the study. They underwent routine clinical examination and pulse oximetry, followed by screening echocardiography for diagnosing a CHD.
Results:
A total of 20,307 newborns were screened, among which 874 had abnormal echocardiograms; 687 had insignificant CHDs, 164 had significant CHDs, and 24 had other abnormal cardiac findings. The birth prevalence of significant CHDs was 8.07 per 1000 live births; 131 newborns had an acyanotic CHD (79.9%) and 33 a cyanotic CHD (20.1%). Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most common acyanotic CHD, present in 116 newborns, giving a prevalence of 5.7/1000 live births. Among the cyanotic CHD, transposition of great arteries was most common (prevalence 0.34/1000 live births).
Conclusion:
The CHD birth prevalence in our study is similar to the reported worldwide birth prevalence. Acyanotic CHD (mostly VSD) is seen in about three-fourths of babies born with CHD. The more sinister cyanotic CHD is present in remaining 25%.
