%0 Journal Article
%T Association of congenital heart defects (CHD) with factors related to maternal health and pregnancy in newborns in Puerto Rico.
%A Delgado Y
%A Gaytan C
%A Perez N
%A Miranda E
%A Morales BC
%A Santos M
%J Congenit Heart Dis
%V 19
%N 1
%D 2024
%M 38912385
%F 2.419
%R 10.32604/chd.2024.046339
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>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 BMI, pregestational, and gestational maternal diabetes, and their potential impact on the occurrence of congenital heart defects (CHD) during neonatal development.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>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.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>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.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>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.