[Current prevalence rate of congenital heart disease in 12 month-old and younger infants among four regions of Guangdong province].

OBJECTIVE

To summarize prevalence rate and region distribution of congenital heart disease (CHD) in 12-month-old and younger infants among four regions of Guangdong province, China.

METHODS

Data from Guangdong CHD monitoring network including 34 monitoring units covering different geographic regions were analyzed. Professional training on screening and diagnosing CHD was provided to each work group member to improve the diagnosis level. CHD infants under or aged 12 months detected in the monitoring unit were included. CHD was diagnosed by fetus and infants echocardiography.

RESULTS

From July 2004 to December 2010, 383 281 perinatal were registered and 3263 cases of CHD were detected in the 34 member units of Guangdong CHD monitoring network [total prevalence rate of CHD: 0.851% (3263/383 281), male prevalence rate: 0.868% (1799/207 347), female prevalence rate:0.828% (1456/175 843)].Stillbirth CHD prevalence rate was significantly higher than livebirth CHD prevalence rate [10.627% (676/6361) vs. 0.686% (2587/376 920), P < 0.01]. The total prevalence of CHD was significantly higher in Pearl River Delta region [0.906% (2826/311 823)] than in other regions [0.611% (437/71 458), P < 0.01]. Ventricular septal defect [39.93% (1033/2587) in livebirth] was the most dominant CHD, followed by patent ductus arteriosus [29.84% (772/2587)] and secundum atrial septal defect [13.76% (356/2587)].

CONCLUSIONS

The present data indicate that the prevalence of CHD in Guangdong is at the medium-upper level of the country associated with high stillbirth rate. The dominant type of CHD is ventricular septal defect. CHD prevalence is higher in the Pearl River Delta region than in other regions.