PREVALENCE OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES IN CHILDREN

Abstract

An extensive meta-analysis of the world literature showed that congenital heart diseases were registered at a rate of 6 per 1,000 live births in 1930—1934 with its increase up to 9,1 per 1,000 after 1995. According to various estimates, the rate of congenital heart diseases was 4 to 10 per 1,000 births after 2000. However, the true prevalence of the above defects may be much higher. Most authors are in agreement that the rate of congenital heart disease varies between 19 to 75 per 1,000 live births; serious anomalies being registered at a rate of 19,1—23,9 per 1,000 births. Many cardiologists do not consider mild defects to be diseases; however, this statement calls for further investigation. Fetal echocardiography and genetic studies are of great importance in estimating the prevalence of congenital heart disease. Tables of chromosomal and monogenic syndromes associated with cardiac malformations are given