Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease and Related Factors among Children Admitted to the Pediatric Cardiac Center in Rafsanjan, Southeastern Iran

Background: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are the most common congenital defects and the leading cause of birth defects-associated morbidity, mortality, and medical expenditures.Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated risk factors of congenital heart disease among children in Rafsanjan, southeastern Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the research population included all pediatrics admitted to the pediatric cardiac center in Rafsanjan, southeastern Iran (September ۲۰۱۸ - March ۲۰۱۹). A researcher-made checklist was used to collect data, such as disease and demographic information, about children and their parents. Through face-to-face interviews, the checklist was completed. Furthermore, echocardiography was applied to diagnose CHD. The data were analyzed using SPSS version ۱۸.Results: From the ۵۰ children, ۳۰ (۶۰%) were girls and ۲۰ (۴۰%) were boys. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with a rate of ۵۰% (۲۵ cases from ۵۰) and atrial septal defect (ASD) with a rate of ۲۰% (۱۰ cases from ۵۰) were the most common CHD anomalies. There was a significant difference between the frequency of PDA and VSD with the delivery method and gestational age (P<۰.۰۵).Conclusions: Our data showed that there is a high prevalence of PDA among children with CHD. Gestational age can be contributing factor to CHD. The results can be used by specialists to prevent and treat these disorders.