Maternal Cardiac Disease and Congenital Heart Disease Risk in Offspring

What is the association of maternal adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) and acquired heart disease (AHD) with the risk and outcomes of congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring?In this cohort study of 14 336 pregnant women with 15 677 offspring in China, maternal ACHD and AHD were significantly associated with higher risks of offspring CHD, particularly septal defects. Among offspring with CHD, maternal ACHD was associated with higher rates of preterm births, whereas maternal AHD was associated with increased chromosomal and genetic abnormalities.The finding of an association between maternal cardiac disease and elevated offspring CHD risk and adverse outcomes supports targeted screening and management in this high-risk population of pregnant women.

Corresponding Authors: Jimei Chen, MD, PhD, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute (chenjimei@gdph.org.cn); Jie Li, PhD, Global Health Research Center (lijie4863@gdph.org.cn), Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China.

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