Assessment the Risk Factors Associated With Occurrence of Congenital Heart Disease: A Cease-Control Study in Southeast of Iran

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect that accounts for 25% of all congenital anomalies. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors od congenital heart disease in southeast Iran.

In this case-control study, 353 cases were selected from children aged 0 to 59 months who suffered from congenital heart disease and were referred to the Children’s Heart Clinic of Zahedan. Moreover, 353 controls were selected from healthy children aged 0 to 59 months who presented to health centers in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. The cases and controls were matched for age, sex and place of residence. The data were collected using interviews with children’s mothers and analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression models.

This study showed that the lack of folic acid consumption in pregnancy (OR =11.8), mot using multivitamins during pregnancy (OR = 4.1), history of CHD in first-degree relatives of parents (OR=3.4), history of abortion (OR =3.4), presence of telecommunication rig in the vicinity of the house (OR=3) and exposure to secondhand smoke (OR=2.9) significantly increased the chance of a CHD (P <0.05).

Effective planning, emphasis on the use of supplements during pregnancy, and improved awareness of the society, especially high risk women, can be helpful in decreasing CHD in this region. Providing education regarding preventive factors seems to be necessary for health and medical workers to control risk factors and reduce costs associated with CHD.