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Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects approximately 7.13 per 1,000 live births, with incidence remaining stable over a decade. This study analyzed over 229,000 births to determine CHD prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Public Health Epidemiology
- Medical Genetics
Context:
- Examining congenital heart disease (CHD) incidence in a large birth cohort.
- Utilizing data from Erfurt and Suhl districts in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
- Analyzing a 10-year period (1971-1980) of live births and pediatric mortality records.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of structural congenital heart disease in live births.
- To assess the stability of CHD incidence over a decade.
- To evaluate the potential for childhood-undetected CHD in adults.
Summary:
- Identified 1,638 cases of structural CHD among 229,846 live births (7.13 per 1,000).
- Concluded that the overall incidence of CHD remained constant between 1971 and 1980.
- Noted that findings align with international studies, suggesting a corrected incidence of 8-10 per 1,000 live births.
Impact:
- Provides crucial epidemiological data on congenital heart disease prevalence.
- Informs public health strategies and resource allocation for pediatric cardiac care.
- Highlights the importance of long-term surveillance for congenital anomalies.
Abstract:
Among 229,846 children born alive between 1971 and 1980 in the districts Erfurt and Suhl--this figure coincide with the total number of live births a year in the GDR--1638 patients with structural congenital heart disease were identified. The study is based on an analysis of cardiac patients of this districts and autopsy protocols of all deceased children of the 10-year period. Additional attempt has been made to assess the proportion of cases in adults undergoing cardiac catheterisation with congenital heart disease, undetected in childhood. In our study we found malformations of the heart in 7.13 of 1,000 live births. There is agreement with the results of foreign studies. It is evident, however, that the result requires correction to 8-10/1,000. Our study of the incidence of congenital heart disease in children born between 1971 and 1980 concludes that over the 10-year period the overall incidence has remained constant.