A broad new analysis of Colorado insurance data suggests national estimates may be severely undercounting children born with heart defects, and at least half of them have other genetic disorders and chronic conditions. The study , published Monday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, offers the first U.S.
population-level analysis of congenital heart defects, or CHDs. Researchers say the much-needed data can be used to better plan for the treatment of children who may need lifelong care. "Seismic advancements in medical care and surgical treatments have significantly increased the survival of children born with congenital heart disease," said Dr.
Devin Parker, a postdoctoral fellow in the department of social epidemiology at Sorbonne Université in Paris and the study's lead author. "A comprehensive assessment of the CHD health burden can support appropriate allocation of resources for diagnosis, care coordination, care access and cost-effective treatment strategies." Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the U.
S., with previous estimates placing the number at about 40,000 babies each year, or 1% of all births nationally. Advances in medical care and treatment have allowed children born with heart defects to live longer, but those who do are at higher risk for neurodevelopmental problems, cancer, depression, asthma, obesity, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and rheumatologic disease.
Meas.