An expanded view of infertility: The challenge of the changing profiling of major birth defects in China

The epidemiological characteristics of liver disease in hospitalized children: a 10-year single-center retrospective study

Background

This investigation aimed to examine the epidemiological characteristics of children with liver disease hospitalized for the first time between June 2012 and May 2022 in a tertiary hospital.

Methods

The study retrospectively recruited children aged between 29 days and 18 years who had been hospitalized for liver disease. Clinical characteristics were categorized by age and etiology, and time trends were assessed using linear regression analysis.

Results

A total of 4,313 children were recruited, with a median age of 0.7 (0.2-4.5) years, and 54.5% of the cases were in the 0-1 years age group. Infection was the primary cause of liver disease (30.0%), followed by undiagnosed cases (25.8%), biliary obstructive disease (15.9%), inherited metabolic liver disease (13.9%), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (3.2%). Genetic diagnoses were established in 43.9% (478/1,088) of patients. The percentage of NAFLD demonstrated an upward trend from 1.2% in 2012 to 12.6% in 2022 (p = 0.006). In contrast, the percentage of cytomegalovirus hepatitis decreased from 13.3% in 2012 to 3.4% in 2022 (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Liver disease in infancy makes up the largest group in pediatric liver disease. Infection remains the leading cause of pediatric liver disease. Hospital admissions for NAFLD in children have increased rapidly over the past decade, while cytomegalovirus hepatitis has declined markedly.

Systematic analysis and evaluation of chromosome aberrations in major birth defects associated with infertility

Previous studies have indicated an elevated risk of infertility in certain birth defects, including congenital heart disease (CHD), hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and disorders of sexual development (DSD). Although the identification of chromosomal abnormalities or chromosomal aberrations (CAs) is crucial for the diagnosis of these conditions, the assessment of CAs in these disorders remains unclear, and few large-scale studies have been conducted at multiple centers. The aim of the current study was to systematically evaluate the prevalence of CAs in CHD, hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and DSD. Studies reporting CAs in these birth defects were retrospectively analyzed from 1991- 2023, using online databases such as PubMed and Google scholar as well as preprints and references from related literature. Comprehensive screening, data acquisition, and systematic assessments of the identified literature were performed. Ultimately, searches yielded a total of 7,356 samples from 14 published articles on CHD, 298 hypospadias cases from 4 published articles, 1,681 cryptorchidism cases from 4 published articles, and 2,876 DSD cases from 7 published articles. Carrier rates of CAs varied widely among these studies and conditions. A retrospective analysis revealed that CHD was associated with the highest carrier rate (26%) for CAs, followed by DSD (21%), hypospadias (9%), and cryptorchidism (5%). A subtype analysis of CAs indicated a higher prevalence of numerical abnormalities among the reported cases. Therefore, considering CAs in birth defects associated with infertility is imperative. This provides a foundation for the further clinical implementation of chromosomal screening and enhancing high-risk screening for individuals in the real world.

Prevalence and Trends of Birth Defects - Five Counties, Shanxi Province, China, 2003-2022

What is already known about this topic?

The Shanxi Province, located in northern China, holds the highest prevalence of birth defects (BDs) across the country. Following the implementation of a nationwide folic acid supplementation program in 2009, a significant reduction of 53.89% in the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) was observed in Shanxi from 2012 to 2017. However, despite this decrease, the prevalence rate for congenital heart defects (CHDs) in 2017 was over four times that of the 2012 rate. Since 2014, CHDs have emerged as the most predominant BD in Shanxi.

What is added by this report?

The present study has identified a marked reduction in the prevalence of both total BDs and NTDs in five counties within Shanxi over the past two decades. As of 2017-2022, NTDs continue to be the most prevalent BDs recorded in this region. Contrarily, there has been a noteworthy increase in the prevalence of CHDs, ranking them among the top five most common BDs in the region between 2017 and 2022, though their rate remains below the national average. Additionally, the proportion of external anomalies remains high. Nevertheless, due to constrained access to primary healthcare services and diagnostic facilities, the early detection rate for internal anomalies, particularly CHDs, may be underestimated in the region.

What are the implications for public health practice?

The results of this study underscore the necessity for augmented efforts in promoting folic acid supplementation as a preventive measure for NTDs. Moreover, improvements in the distribution of medical resources within this region are recommended, particularly the introduction and enforcement of local training programs aimed at enhancing CHD screening and diagnostic processes in these respective counties.