Congenital heart defects—chromosomal anomalies, syndromes and extracardiac malformations

Aim: To register chromosomal anomalies, syndromes and extracardiac malformations in patients with Congenital heart defects (CHDs). Method: Population-based prospective observational study. Results: Of 57 027 live births during 1982–2005, CHDs were detected in 662 (11.6 per 1000), of whom 146 (22%) had associated anomalies. Of these 52 (36%) had chromosomal anomalies (exclusive microdeletions), 26 (18%) genetic syndromes/microdeletions, 1 (0.7%) a teratogenous syndrome and 67 (46%) extracardiac malformations. In perimembraneous ventricular septal defects (VSDs), associated anomalies occurred in 22 of 70 (31%) compared to 27 of 298 (9%) in VSDs located in the muscular part of the septum (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of CHDs with associated disorders increased significantly from the cohort born during 1982–1993 to those born during 1994–2005 (2.0 vs. 3.1 per 1000, respectively; p < 0.0001), mainly caused by an increase of chromosomal trisomies (0.5 vs. 1.1 per 1000; p = 0.026). The percentage of women giving live birth at 35 years of age or more was 7.6% for the period 1982–1993 compared to 13.4% for 1994–2005 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Chromosomal anomalies, syndromes and extracardiac malformations occurred in nearly one-fourth of CHD cases. Muscular VSDs had a low prevalence of such conditions. The prevalence of CHDs with chromosomal trisomies increased, and was probably related to an increasing age of women giving birth.