Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease Amongst Schoolchildren in Southwest China

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of congenital heart disease inYunnan, China which has diverse ethnic groups. Methods: This cross-sectional studyenrolled 244,023 children from 2010 to 2015. To diagnose CHD, a conventional physicalexamination was used to screen suspicious cases, which were further confirmed byechocardiography. Results: A total of 1695 children were diagnosed with CHD. Theestimated prevalence was 6.94%. Atrial septal defects were the most common cardiacabnormalities. A higher prevalence of CHD was observed with preterm birth, low birthweight, maternal age ≥35 years, and high-altitude regions. The prevalence also showeddifferences between diverse ethnic groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of CHD in Chinamay have ethnic differences.