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Published on: July 18, 2014
Analysis of the Seasonal Trend of Congenital Heart Defects
Yuanyuan Dong1, Yunting Zhang1, Shilu Tong2
1Child Health Advocacy Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Insights
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) show a seasonal birth trend in China, peaking in October. This suggests potential maternal exposure to environmental factors during early pregnancy, like pollution or infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a significant global health concern.
- Understanding seasonal variations in CHDs can inform prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the seasonal trends of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in China.
- To identify specific months with higher incidences of CHDs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 40,501 CHD patient records from Shanghai Children Medical Center (2006-2017).
- Utilized negative binomial regression models to assess monthly birth rates.
- Adjusted for sex, birth year, and general population birth rates.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant seasonal trend in CHD births was observed.
- The highest relative rate of CHDs occurred in October.
- The lowest relative rate of CHDs was observed in November after adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Significant monthly variations in CHD births exist in China.
- Higher October birth rates may link to maternal exposures (Jan-Mar), including environmental hazards, infections, or lifestyle factors during the Spring Festival.
Objective:
To determine the seasonal trend of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in China using hospital-based clinical data.
Study Design:
We included 40 501 patients with CHD hospitalized at the Shanghai Children Medical Center between 2006 and 2017. The birth rate of CHD in each month was adjusted by sex, year of birth, and monthly birth rate of the general population. Negative binomial regression models were used to assess the seasonal trend of CHD.
Results:
The included patients consisted of 22 600 boys (55.8%), resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 1.26:1. Among subtypes of CHDs, ventricular septal defects and atrial septal defects were the most common, accounting for 39.7% and 12.6%, respectively. A statistically significant seasonal trend in the monthly birth rate of patients with CHDs was found; the highest relative rate of CHD was found in October and the lowest in April. After adjusting for the potential confounders, the highest relative rate of CHD was found in October and the lowest in November.
Conclusions:
There seems to be a significant monthly birth rate variation of CHDs in China. The highest relative rate of CHDs occurred in October, suggesting possible maternal exposure to environmental hazards from January to March. These hazards may include air pollution, virus infection, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors during the Spring Festival.
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