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Incidence and Antenatal Detection of Congenital Heart Malformations-Data from a Tertiary Obstetric Romanian Center
Adrian Ciulpan1,2,3, Adrian Lacatușu2,3, Liviu Laurenţiu Pop2,3
1Doctoral School, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.
Insights
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occurred in 5.3% of newborns in Western Romania between 2018-2022. Improved prenatal care and screening are crucial for early diagnosis and better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart defects (CHDs) represent a significant global health burden.
- High mortality rates and extensive care costs associated with CHDs necessitate localized epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of CHDs in a tertiary care center in Western Romania.
- To analyze antenatal detection rates and identify contributing factors.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted from 2018 to 2022.
- Data from 541 newborns diagnosed with CHDs were collected and statistically analyzed.
- Maternal and neonatal information was reviewed.
Main Results:
- The incidence of CHDs was 5.3%, with 28.8% of cases presenting multiple malformations.
- Antenatal detection rate was 28%, with variations based on CHD type.
- Incomplete or absent prenatal care significantly impacted antenatal detection rates.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a lower incidence of CHDs compared to literature, potentially increasing the burden of medical treatment.
- Enhancing patient education, prenatal care accessibility, and screening programs can improve diagnosis and outcomes.
- Multifactorial approaches are essential for managing CHDs effectively.
Objectives:
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most frequent congenital defects, and they significantly burden the healthcare system due to their high mortality rate and high cost of care for survivors. We aimed to highlight the incidence of CHDs in a tertiary center in Western Romania.
Methods:
A retrospective study was carried out between 2018 and 2022 at the "Pius Brinzeu" Emergency County Hospital Timisoara. Relevant information about the mothers and the newborns were collected and statistically analyzed.
Results:
The incidence of CHDs from 2018 to 2022 in our center was 5.3%. Eleven types of malformations were diagnosed postnatally in 541 newborns, with 28.8% of cases having more than one type of CHD. The antenatal detection rate was 28%, with the highest rates for tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or significant ventricular septal defects and the lowest for pulmonary stenosis. The lower antenatal detection rate was influenced mainly by incomplete or absent prenatal care.
Conclusions:
The incidence of CHDs is clearly dependent of a multifactorial approach, and the results highlight this. With an incidence almost 50% lower than reported within the literature and a low rate of prenatal detections, CHDs could be a more of a burden to endure regarding medical treatment. Improvements in patients' education, prenatal care, and screening programs could improve diagnosis, decrease mortality, and optimize postnatal care.
