Open Access

ARTICLE

Association of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) with Factors Related to Maternal Health and Pregnancy in Newborns in Puerto Rico

by Yamixa Delgado^1,*, Caliani Gaytan¹, Naydi Perez², Eric Miranda³, Bryan Colón Morales¹, Mónica Santos¹

1 Biochemistry & Pharmacology Department, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, 00726, Puerto Rico
2 Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico
3 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico

* Corresponding Author: Yamixa Delgado. Email:

Congenital Heart Disease 2024, 19(1), 19-31. https://doi.org/10.32604/chd.2024.046339

Received 27 September 2023; Accepted 09 January 2024; Issue published 20 March 2024

Abstract

Background: Given the pervasive issues of obesity and diabetes both in Puerto Rico and the broader United States, there is a compelling need to investigate the intricate interplay among body mass index (BMI), pregestational, and gestational maternal diabetes, and their potential impact on the occurrence of congenital heart defects (CHD) during neonatal development. Methods: Using the comprehensive System of Vigilance and Surveillance of Congenital Defects in Puerto Rico, we conducted a focused analysis on neonates diagnosed with CHD between 2016 and 2020. Our assessment encompassed a range of variables, including maternal age, gestational age, BMI, pregestational diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, history of abortion, and presence of preeclampsia. Results: A cohort of 673 patients was included in our study. The average maternal age was 26 years, within a range of 22 to 32 years. The mean gestational age measured 39 weeks, with a median span of 38 to 39 weeks. Of the 673 patients, 274 (41%) mothers gave birth to neonates diagnosed with CHD. Within this group, 22 cases were linked to pre-gestational diabetes, while 202 were not; 20 instances were associated with gestational diabetes, compared to 200 without; and 148 cases exhibited an overweight or obese BMI, whereas 126 displayed a normal BMI. Conclusion: We identified a statistically significant correlation between pre-gestational diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of CHD. However, our analysis did not show a statistically significant association between maternal BMI and the likelihood of CHD. These results may aid in developing effective strategies to prevent and manage CHD in neonates.

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