Delayed diagnosis of critical congenital heart defects: trends and associated factors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We aimed to examine trends in timing of diagnosis of critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) and factors associated with delayed diagnosis (diagnosis after discharge home following delivery).

Methods

We examined a population-based retrospective cohort of CCHD cases among live births identified through the Massachusetts Birth Defects Monitoring Program. Congenital heart defects were considered critical if the infant received corrective surgery, interventional catheterization, palliative care, or died as a result of the defect within 12 months of birth. Timing of initial diagnosis was classified as prenatal, postnatal before discharge home, or delayed. Demographic, perinatal, and mortality information was obtained from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

SUBMITTER: Liberman RF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9923616 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature