Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease in Chinese Children With Different Birth Weights and Its Relationship to the Neonatal Birth Weight

Perinatal factors and early neonatal outcomes of abnormal birthweight infants in Hangzhou, China, 2015-2021: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the perinatal factors and early neonatal outcomes of abnormal birth weight (ABW) in Hangzhou, China from 2015 to 2021.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was designed to analyse the data of 76 847 newborns, in which the case groups included 3042 cases of low birth weight (LBW) and 2941 cases of fetal macrosomia (MAC), and 70 864 cases of normal weight were as the reference group.

RESULTS

The incidence of LBW and MAC was 3.96% and 3.83% in Hangzhou, China from 2015 to 2021. Prematurity (<37 weeks), multiple births, hospitalisation >7 days, fetal anomalies, caesarean section, pregnancy complications, maternal coinfection with pathogens and summer births would be correlated with the incidence of LBW (ORs=43.50, 7.60, 2.09, 1.89, 1.57, 1.28, 1.19 and 1.18, all p<0.05). Factors such as post-term pregnancy (>41 weeks), scarred uterus, anterior vaginal incision and gravidity ≥2 were correlated with decreased incidence of LBW, with ORs of 0.05, 0.54, 0.65 and 0.80. Moreover, caesarean delivery, post-term pregnancy (> 41 weeks), parity ≥1, lateral vaginal incision, gravidity ≥2, hospitalisation >7 days, winter births and pregnancy complications also have association with the incidence of MAC (ORs=3.92, 2.73, 2.19, 1.87, 1.22, 1.20, 1.17 and 1.13, all p<0.05) while prematurity (<37 weeks), scarred uterus and anterior vaginal incision have close association with decreased incidence of MAC, with ORs of 0.07, 0.21 and 0.74 (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was a trend of yearly increase in ABW in Hangzhou, China from 2015 to 2021. Several neonatal and maternal-related variables such as caesarean section, pregnancy complications and hospitalisation >7 days are associated with the odds of LBW and MAC, however, factors such as pregnancy with scarred uterus relate to the decrease of ABW. Close monitoring and intervention during pregnancy are essential to reduce the occurrence of ABW.

2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2024 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2023 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. The AHA strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional global data, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.