Congenital heart disease in infants of mothers with coronavirus disease: a cross-sectional study

Background and aim There is growing concern regarding the potential impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pregnancy outcomes. While the virus is known to increase risks for both mothers and newborns, the relationship between maternal infection and the development of birth defects, particularly congenital heart disease (CHD), remains poorly understood. We aimed to assess the frequency and types of CHD observed in infants whose mothers had suspected or confirmed COVID-19 during gestation. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Pediatrics and Neonatology Department of Al-Azhar University Hospital in Assiut over a 1-year period from January 2022 to 2023. The study enrolled 100 infants diagnosed with CHD who were born to mothers with a history of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Data collection encompassed maternal sociodemographic profiles, perinatal histories, and infant clinical outcomes. All infants underwent echocardiography to assess CHD type and severity. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, applying descriptive and comparative statistical tests. Results Of the study population, 70% were male, and the mean birth weight was 2.8 kg. No significant differences were observed in birth weight, APGAR scores, or clinical outcomes between infants of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 mothers. Echocardiographic findings revealed a significant association between maternal COVID-19 and abnormal ventricular septum ( P =0.049), while other cardiac parameters showed no significant differences. Conclusion Maternal COVID-19 infection in pregnancy may be related to an increased risk of certain congenital heart defects, particularly ventricular septal abnormalities.