title: Frequency and spectrum of congenital heart defects among live births in Germany : a study of the Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common single organ malformations in humans. A comprehensive study was initiated within the Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects to assess population-based nationwide prevalence data for Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study register of demographic and medical data of live births with CHD born between July 2006 and June 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven thousand two hundred forty-five live births and infants with CHD were registered in Germany by 260 participating institutions (prevalence 107.6 per 10,000 live births). The most common lesions were ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and valvular pulmonary stenosis with 52.7, 18.3 and 6.6 per 10,000 live births, respectively. A single ventricle, tetralogy of Fallot and the complete transposition of the great arteries were the most common severe cardiac lesions (3.0, 2.7 and 2.3 per 10,000 live births). Parents reported that prenatal echocardiography had been performed in 53.8% of severe CHD cases with a cardiac defect detected in 77.5% of them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reported prevalences of severe CHD are within the range of regional and European comparative data. The prenatal detection rate of severe cardiovascular malformations is comparable to contemporary European registries. Postnatal diagnosis of the CHD has been made early in life.
authors: Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin-Kompetenznetz Angeborene Herzfehler, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Gerda
authors: G
authors: Schwedler
authors: Angelika
authors: A
authors: Lindinger
authors: Peter E
authors: PE
authors: Lange
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Sax
authors: Julianna
authors: J
authors: Olchvary
authors: Brigitte
authors: B
authors: Peters
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Bauer
authors: Hans-Werner
authors: HW
authors: Hense
mesh_terms: D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D050498:Live Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal