The Relationship Between Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns and Maternal Prenatal Folic Acid Supplementation, and Analysis of Other High-Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns and maternal prenatal folic acid supplementation, as well as other high-risk factors.

METHOD: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 114 pregnant women diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the prenatal stage at our hospital between January 2021 and January 2023. These pregnant women were included in the case group. Additionally, an equal number of pregnant women with normal examination results during the same period were selected as the control group at a 1:1 ratio. Basic information about the families of pregnant women and information about relevant exposure factors during the periconception period were analyzed based on survey forms previously completed by pregnant women during their prenatal check-ups at the hospital. Possible influencing factors were analyzed through multifactor logistic regression.

RESULTS: High-risk factors during the perinatal period for new CHD in newborns include maternal age at this pregnancy >35 years (OR=1.907), the presence of adverse pregnancy history (OR=2.213), a family history of CHD (OR=3.049), exposure to secondhand smoke during the perinatal period (OR=2.934), the use of cold medications (OR=1.719), fever (OR=2.034), exposure to noisy environments (OR=1.981), prolonged use of electronic devices (OR=1.827), consumption of pickled foods (OR=1.892). Prenatal folic acid supplementation is a protective factor for new CHD in newborns (OR=0.342).

CONCLUSION: Pregnant women should choose an appropriate gestational age for conception. During the perinatal period, pregnant women should avoid exposure to the aforementioned high-risk factors as much as possible and supplement folic acid appropriately. It is essential to cultivate good dietary and lifestyle habits, as this has significant implications for preventing and reducing the occurrence of CHD in newborns. Healthcare professionals should prioritize educating pregnant women about the risks associated with the identified high-risk factors and emphasize the importance of early prenatal care. Furthermore, promoting appropriate folic acid supplementation during the periconception period should be an integral part of prenatal care protocols. By implementing these recommendations, healthcare providers can contribute to reducing the occurrence of CHD in newborns and improving maternal and infant health outcomes.