Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound 30/45MHZ System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Perinatal outcomes and congenital heart defect prognosis in 53313 non-selected perinatal infants
Donghua Xie1,2, Hua Wang3, Zhiyu Liu1
1Department of Information Management, Maternal and Children's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Insights
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) affect 35.64 per 10,000 infants, with high prenatal detection and termination rates. The 5-year survival for CHDs remains low, necessitating improved pediatric care and support.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart defects (CHDs) represent a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the epidemiology and prognosis of CHDs in diverse populations is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate perinatal outcomes and congenital heart defect (CHD) prognosis in a non-selected population in Liuyang City, China.
- To assess the prevalence, prenatal diagnosis rates, and long-term survival of infants with CHDs.
Main Methods:
- Population-based surveillance data from 2010-2012 were analyzed.
- Infants with CHDs were followed for 5 years to determine prognosis.
- Statistical analysis of prevalence, prenatal diagnosis, perinatal outcomes, and survival data was performed using SPSS 18.0.
Main Results:
- A CHD prevalence of 35.64 per 10,000 was observed.
- Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) and atrial septal defects (ASDs) were the most common CHDs.
- High rates of prenatal diagnosis (57.89%) and termination of pregnancy (36.32%) were noted, with a low 5-year survival rate (41.58%).
Conclusions:
- The study highlights high prenatal detection and termination rates for CHDs, coupled with a low 5-year survival rate.
- There is a need for enhanced pediatrician education and financial support to improve CHD infant prognosis, particularly within the first year of life.
Objective:
To evaluate perinatal outcomes and congenital heart defect (CHD) prognosis in a non-selected population.
Methods:
The population-based surveillance data used in this assessment of CHDs were based on birth defect surveillance data collected from 2010-2012 in Liuyang City, China. Infants living with CHDs were followed up for 5 years to determine their prognosis. Prevalence, prenatal diagnosis, perinatal outcomes, and total and type-specific prognosis data were assessed using SPSS 18.0.
Results:
In total, 190 CHD cases were identified among the 53313 included perinatal infants (PIs), indicating a CHD prevalence of 35.64 per 10000 PIs in this non-selected population. The five most frequently identified types of CHDs were ventricular septal defects (VSDs, 38.95%), atrial septal defects (ASDs, 15.79%), cardiomegaly (7.89%), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF, 5.79%), and atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs, 5.26%). Of the 190 CHD cases, 110 (57.89%) were diagnosed prenatally, 30 (15.79%) were diagnosed with associated malformations, and 69 (36.32%) resulted in termination of pregnancy (TOP). Moreover, 15 (7.89%) PIs died within 7 days after delivery, and 42 (22.10%) died within 1 year. In contrast, 79 (41.58%) were still alive after 5 years. When TOP cases were included, the 5-year survival rate of PIs with prenatally detected CHDs was lower than that of PIs with postnatally detected CHDs (25.45% vs. 63.75%). The CHD subtype associated with the highest rate of infant (less than 1 year old) mortality was transposition of the great arteries (100%). The subtypes associated with higher 5-year survival rates were patent ductus arteriosus (80%), ASD (63.33%), VSD (52.70%) and AVSD (50%).
Conclusions:
The rates of prenatal CHD detection and TOP were high in this study population, and the 5-year survival rate of PIs with CHDs was low. The government should strengthen efforts to educate pediatricians regarding this issue and provide financial assistance to improve the prognosis of infants living with CHDs, especially during the first year of life.
