Congenital heart disease in children with Down syndrome in Duhok city

ABSTRACT

To find out the most common types of congenital heart defects among Down syndrome children in Duhok/Kurdistan and the effects of parental consanguinity on the pattern of congenital heart defects. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality due to a trisomy of chromosome number 21, commonly associated with congenital heart defects. A study was done in Heevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital and Early Detection Childhood Disability Center in Duhok city, from the period of January 2010 to January 2011. Congenital heart defects were detected in 44/80 [55%] children. Ventricular Septal Defect was the most common 18/44, followed by atrioventricular septal defect 12/44, atrial septal sefect 7/44, Tetralogy of Fallot 4/44, patent ductus arteriosus, hypetrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy 2/44. Consanguinity was found in 22 [27%]of all parents. Slightly higher frequency of congenital heart defects was documented in Down syndrome children from the population of Duhok city with a high consanguineous marriage rate. The frequencies of specific lesions were differing to those reported internationally; ventricular septal defect was the most frequently detected in this study