الفهرس 
table of contentsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 269 |  |  |
| | | from | 269 | | |
Abstract
Malformations of the cardiovascular system are a leading cause of death during the first year of life. Mortalities and morbidities are higher among affected children. However, it has been estimated that known risk factors for congenital heart diseases explain only 10 of cases. Furthermore, to plan further health needs, epidemiologic data are needed regarding changes in prevalence and severity of CHD. The present study aims at studying the mode of inheritance of congenital heart disease, determination of various risk factors to CHD including exposure to teratogens. It also aims at studying the risk factors of recurrence in sibs. The prevalence of CHD among school children has been estimated by recording all cases diagnosed as CHD by echocardiography in the School Health Insurance outpatient clinic within one-year period. A case-control study has been conducted in the School Health Insurance hospital and University hospital. Systematic random sampling was performed in which every other case for 6 days per week has been selected. The total sample size amounted for 1788. The information was collected using a questionnaire and included information about the socioeconomic level of the family, residence, parental age at birth, occupational exposure to teratogens, maternal diseases, maternal exposure to medications or sex hormones during the vulnerable period of gestation (1st 2 months). The results of the present study revealed the following: 1. The prevalence of CHD among school children with confirmed diagnosis of CHD in Alexandria governorate accounted for 1.01 per 1000 school children. There was significant difference regarding the prevalence of CHD among male and female school children (1.09 per 1000 in females compared to 0.94 per 1000 in males.) 2. There was a significantly higher male predominance in pulmonary stenosis and single ventricle, and a significantly higher female predominance in PDA, mitral valve prolapse and partial AV canal.