Factors in the Aetiology of Congenital Malformations of tbe Heart in Nigeria

Abstract

Summary: A number of factors, including birthrank of affected children, maternal age, haemoglobin genotype, esta blished hereditary syndromes, maternal rubella infection, drug or herbal concoction ingestion during pregnancy and abnormal chromosomes, were studied for their possible aetiological relationship with congenital malformations of the heart (CMH) in 260 children. Significant relationship was found in respect of birthrank and between haemoglobin genotype and PDA. While there was a significant difference between the maternal age of children with CMH and controls from a rural area of Nigeria (Igbo-Ora), no such difference existed between the maternal age of children with CMH and other controls born at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. There was no relationship between the genotype and the other major malfor mations. Of the hereditary syndromes, a case each of Ellis-van Creveld and Holt Oram was encountered. There were nine patients with PDA and features consistent with congenital rubella syndrome. Twelve cases of Down's syndrome and heart malformations occurred in the series. Although 27% of the mothers admitted taking herbal concoctions during the pregnancy, a cause-effect relationship between the malformations and the concoctions could not be established.