Epidemiology of noncomplex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction malformations (aortic valve stenosis, coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic left heart syndrome) in Texas, 1999-2001.
BACKGROUND
The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) malformations aortic valve stenosis (AVS), coarctation of the aorta (CoA), and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) contribute significantly to infant mortality due to birth defects. Previous epidemiology data showed rate differences between male and female and white and black ethnic groups. The Texas Birth Defects Registry, an active surveillance program, enables study in a large, diverse population including Hispanics.


METHODS
Records of children up to 1 year old with AVS, CoA, and HLHS born in Texas from 1999 to 2001, were collected from the registry. Those including additional heart defects or a chromosomal anomaly were excluded. Multivariate analysis included: infant sex; United States-Mexico border county residence; and maternal age, race/ethnicity, birthplace, and education.


RESULTS
There were 910 cases among 1.08 million live births, of which 499 met inclusion criteria. Multivariate modeling of all LVOT malformations combined demonstrated lower prevalence rate ratios (PRRs) for black males (0.26) and Hispanic males (0.70). Similar results were found for CoA but not AVS or HLHS. Higher PRRs were noted for increased maternal age for LVOT (1.3 for 24-34 years; 1.7 for >34 years), AVS, and HLHS, but not CoA, and higher PRRs across all diagnoses for males (LVOT PRR, 2.4) were noted. CoA PRRs were higher in border county vs. non-border county residents (PRR, 2.1). Maternal education and birthplace were not significant factors.


CONCLUSIONS
There are rate differences for males among all 3 ethnic groups. Sex and ethnic differences suggest genetic etiologies, where the ethnic differences could be used to find susceptibility loci with mapping by admixture linkage disequilibrium. Increased CoA rates along the U.S.-Mexico border suggest environmental causes that will require further monitoring.
McBride
Kim L
KL
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Columbus Children's Research Institute, Ohio State University, 43205, USA. mcbridek@ccri.net
Marengo
Lisa
L
Canfield
Mark
M
Langlois
Peter
P
Fixler
David
D
Belmont
John W
JW
D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018636:Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D008800:Mexico; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D013781:Texas; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology