Key result
The prevalence rate for congenital heart disease in Malta was 32.38 per 10,000 births, with higher rates of severe lesions compared to the EUROCAT average.
Why the study?
Malta is unique in Europe because termination of pregnancy is illegal, prompting a study to ascertain patterns in CHD prevalence compared with EUROCAT data.
Observational (n=22,833,032)
Yes
Malta has a higher reported prevalence of CHD compared to the European average, potentially driven by higher detection of milder defects and the illegality of pregnancy termination for severe cases.
Malta's elevated CHD prevalence, especially milder lesions, warrants caution in registry comparisons; leaves open diagnostic and termination policy effects.
BACKGROUND: CHD refers to structural cardiac abnormalities which comprise the commonest group of congenital malformations. Malta is a small island in the central Mediterranean with excellent diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. It is unique in the European population as termination of pregnancy is illegal. This study was carried out to ascertain patterns in CHD prevalence in comparison with EUROCAT data (European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies). METHODS: Anonymised data were obtained from the EUROCAT website for 1993-2020. RESULTS: There were a total of 22,833,032 births from all EUROCAT Registries, of which 121,697 were from Malta. The prevalence rate for Malta CHD was 32.38/10,000 births (at the higher end of the range). Malta had a significant excess of commoner, comparatively non-severe CHDs. For most of the severe lesions analysed rates reported were higher than EUROCAT average, however, apart from Ebstein's anomaly, they all fell within the ranges reported from the different registries. DISCUSSION: Wide variations in reported CHD prevalence are known, and the Malta rates may be higher for milder defects due to quicker pickup prior to spontaneous resolution. There may also be a higher pickup of milder forms of more severe conditions. For the more severe conditions, lack of termination may be the explanation. These factors may result in the higher neonatal mortality observed in Malta.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Grech et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Congenital heart disease (CHD) (n=22,833,032). Birth in Malta vs. EUROCAT average was evaluated on Prevalence rate for CHD per 10,000 births. The prevalence rate for congenital heart disease in Malta was 32.38 per 10,000 births, with higher rates of severe lesions compared to the EUROCAT average.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: