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Nationwide Birth Prevalence of Crucial Congenital Heart Defects From 2014 to 2018 in Korea
Kee Soo Ha1, Chan Mi Park2, JungHwa Lee1
1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
This study investigated congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence in Korean children, finding overall rates similar to international data but significant differences in specific CHD subtypes between East Asian and Western populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- A comprehensive survey of congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence in South Korea was lacking.
- Understanding national CHD epidemiology is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the birth prevalence of crucial congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in Korean children.
- To establish a foundation for national CHD epidemiology in South Korea.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the National Health Insurance Service (2014-2018).
- Focus on infantile crucial CHDs, including critical and diverse categorical defects.
- Comparison of Korean CHD birth prevalence with international data.
Main Results:
- Overall birth prevalence of crucial CHDs in Korea was comparable to critical CHDs in other countries.
- Significant increases in right heart obstructive defects and conus anomalies observed in the East Asian group.
- Significant decreases in left heart obstructive defects and truncus anomalies noted in the East Asian group.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a foundation for national CHD epidemiology in Korean children.
- Specific CHD subtypes, including right and left heart obstructive defects and conotruncal anomalies, show distinct prevalence patterns between East Asian and Western populations.
Background And Objectives:
A comprehensive survey of congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence has not yet been conducted in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CHDs in Korean children and lay the foundation for national CHD epidemiology.
Methods:
Target patients were infantile crucial CHDs, which include critical CHDs (requiring urgent procedures after birth with common hypoxemic defects) and diverse categorical defects excluding simple shunt defects. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service over a 5-year period (2014-2018). Birth prevalence (new cases per 1,000 live births) of CHDs in Korea was analyzed and compared with that of other countries.
Results:
The birth prevalences of right heart obstructive defects (pulmonary valve stenosis and pulmonary atresia), conus anomalies (tetralogy of Fallot and double outlet right ventricle), and total anomalous pulmonary venous return showed significant increases in the East Asian group (P<0.001), whereas those of left heart obstructive defects (coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome), truncus anomalies (D-transposition of great artery and persistent truncus arteriosus), atrioventricular septal defect, and hypoplastic right heart syndrome were significantly decreased in the East Asian group (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
The overall birth prevalence of crucial CHDs in Korea was similar to that of critical CHDs in previous studies from other countries. Some subtypes of right heart obstructive defects, left heart obstructive defects, and conotruncal anomalies showed significant differences between East Asian and Western populations. This study contributes to a foundation for national CHD epidemiology in Korean children.
