title: Congenital heart defects and major structural noncardiac anomalies in Alberta, Canada, 1995-2002.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the majority of congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur in isolation, a significant number occur with noncardiac anomalies. This study determined the proportion of noncardiac anomalies among CHD cases in Alberta.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of infants and children born in Alberta between January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2002, were searched using multiple sources of ascertainment in addition to the Alberta Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System (ACASS) (Alberta Health and Wellness, 2012). Each case was assigned to one CHD category and was further categorized into one of the following groups: isolated CHD, syndromes, chromosomal, associations and sequences, teratogens, Mendelian, neoplasia, heterotaxy, multiple minor anomalies, and multiple major anomalies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all 3751 CHD cases (prevalence 12.42/1000 total births: confidence interval, 12.03-12.83), 75% were isolated, 10% had a chromosomal etiology, and 9% had multiple major anomalies. All other categories accounted for <2% each. The most commonly associated major noncardiac anomalies were musculoskeletal (MSK) (24%) followed by anomalies of the urinary tract (14%), gastrointestinal system (GI) (11%), and central nervous system (CNS) (11%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is both a population-based and clinical study using a classification scheme that could help to determine possible etiologic factors contributing to CHD. By eliminating known etiologies such as chromosomal and single gene, future studies can focus on the remainder to evaluate possible preventive measures. The most commonly associated major noncardiac anomalies involve the MSK system, followed by the urinary, GI, and CNS systems.
authors: Alberta Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System, Alberta Health and Wellness, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. brian.lowry@albertahealthservices.ca
authors: R Brian
authors: RB
authors: Lowry
authors: Tanya
authors: T
authors: Bedard
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Sibbald
authors: Joyce R
authors: JR
authors: Harder
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Trevenen
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Horobec
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: Dyck
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009139:Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics