Racial/Ethnic disparities in risk of early childhood mortality among children with congenital heart defects

A parental communication assessment initiative in the paediatric cardiovascular ICU

OBJECTIVE

Challenges to communication between families and care providers of paediatric patients in intensive care units (ICU) include variability of communication preferences, mismatched goals of care, and difficulties carrying forward family preferences from provider to provider. Our objectives were to develop and test an assessment tool that queries parents of children requiring cardiac intensive care about their communication preferences and to determine if this tool facilitates patient-centred care and improves families' ICU experience.

DESIGN

In this quality improvement initiative, a novel tool was developed, the Parental Communication Assessment (PCA), which asked parents with children hospitalised in the cardiac ICU about their communication preferences. Participants were prospectively randomised to the intervention group, which received the PCA, or to standard care. All participants completed a follow-up survey evaluating satisfaction with communication.

MAIN RESULTS

One hundred thirteen participants enrolled and 56 were randomised to the intervention group. Participants who received the PCA preferred detail-oriented communication over big picture. Most parents understood the daily discussions on rounds (64%) and felt comfortable expressing concerns (68%). Eighty-six percent reported the PCA was worthwhile. Parents were generally satisfied with communication. However, an important proportion felt unprepared for difficult decisions or setbacks, inadequately included or supported in decision-making, and that they lacked control over their child's care. There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in their communication satisfaction results.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents with children hospitalised in the paediatric ICU demonstrated diverse communication preferences. Most participants felt overall satisfied with communication, but individualising communication with patients' families according to their preferences may improve their experience.

Homogenous access to fetal cardiac care in a heterogeneous state

BACKGROUND

Timely prenatal diagnosis of CHD allows families to participate in complex decisions and plan for the care of their child. This study sought to investigate whether timing of initial fetal echocardiogram and the characteristics of fetal counselling were impacted by parental socio-economic factors.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of fetal cardiac patients from 1 January, 2017 to 31 December, 2018. We reviewed gestational age at first fetal echo, maternal age and ethnicity, zip code, rurality index, and hospital distance. Counselling was evaluated based on documentation regarding use of interpreter, time billed for counselling, and treatment option chosen.

RESULTS

Total of 139 maternal-fetal dyads were included, and 29 dyads had single-ventricle heart disease. There was no difference in income, hospital distance or rurality index, and first fetal echo timing. There was no significant difference between maternal ethnicity and maternal age, gestational age at initial visit, or follow-up. Patients in rural areas had increased counselling time (p < .05). There was no difference between socio-economic factors and ultimate parental choices (termination, palliative delivery, or cardiac interventions).

CONCLUSION

Oregon comprises a heterogeneous population from a large geographical catchment. While prenatal counselling and family decision-making are multifaceted, we demonstrated that dyads were referred from across the state and received care in a uniformly timely manner, and once at our centre received consistent counselling despite differences in parental socio-economic factors.

Effects of Sociodemographic Factors on Access to and Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease in the United States

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are complex conditions affecting the heart and/or great vessels that are present at birth. These defects occur in approximately 9 in every 1000 live births. From diagnosis to intervention, care has dramatically improved over the last several decades. Patients with CHDs are now living well into adulthood. However, there are factors that have been associated with poor outcomes across the lifespan of these patients. These factors include sociodemographic and socioeconomic positions. This commentary examined the disparities and solutions within the evolution of CHD care in the United States.

Inequitable access: factors associated with incomplete referrals to paediatric cardiology

OBJECTIVE

To assess the variables associated with incomplete and unscheduled cardiology clinic visits among referred children with a focus on equity gaps.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective chart review for patients less than 18 years of age who were referred to cardiology clinics at a single quaternary referral centre from 2017 to 2019. We collected patient demographic data including race, an index of neighbourhood socio-economic deprivation linked to a patient's geocoded address, referral information, and cardiology clinic information. The primary outcome was an incomplete clinic visit. The secondary outcome was an unscheduled appointment. Independent associations were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 10,610 new referrals; 6954 (66%) completed new cardiology clinic visits. Black race (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.22-1.63), public insurance (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.14-1.46), and a higher deprivation index (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.08-1.61) were associated with higher odds of incomplete visit compared to the respective reference groups of White race, private insurance, and a lower deprivation index. The findings for unscheduled visit were similar. A shorter time elapsed from the initial referral to when the appointment was made was associated with lower odds of incomplete visit (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.52-0.74).

CONCLUSION

Race, insurance type, neighbourhood deprivation, and time from referral date to appointment made were each associated with incomplete referrals to paediatric cardiology. Interventions directed to understand such associations and respond accordingly could help to equitably improve referral completion.

Neighborhood Childhood Opportunity, Race/Ethnicity, and Surgical Outcomes in Children With Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) coexist with disparities in educational, environmental, and economic opportunity.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the associations between childhood opportunity, race/ethnicity, and pediatric CHD surgery outcomes.

METHODS

Pediatric Health Information System encounters aged <18 years from 2016 to 2022 with International Classification of Diseases-10th edition codes for CHD and cardiac surgery were linked to ZIP code-level Childhood Opportunity Index (COI), a score of neighborhood educational, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions. The associations of race/ethnicity and COI with in-hospital surgical death were modeled with generalized estimating equations and formal mediation analysis. Neonatal survival after discharge was modeled by Cox proportional hazards.

RESULTS

Of 54,666 encounters at 47 centers, non-Hispanic Black (Black) (OR: 1.20; P = 0.01), Asian (OR: 1.75; P < 0.001), and Other (OR: 1.50; P < 0.001) groups had increased adjusted mortality vs non-Hispanic Whites. The lowest COI quintile had increased in-hospital mortality in unadjusted and partially adjusted models (OR: 1.29; P = 0.004), but not fully adjusted models (OR: 1.14; P = 0.13). COI partially mediated the effect of race/ethnicity on in-hospital mortality between 2.6% (P = 0.64) and 16.8% (P = 0.029), depending on model specification. In neonatal multivariable survival analysis (n = 13,987; median follow-up: 0.70 years), the lowest COI quintile had poorer survival (HR: 1.21; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Children in the lowest COI quintile are at risk for poor outcomes after CHD surgery. Disproportionally increased mortality in Black, Asian, and Other populations may be partially mediated by COI. Targeted investment in low COI neighborhoods may improve outcomes after hospital discharge. Identification of unmeasured factors to explain persistent risk attributed to race/ethnicity is an important area of future exploration.

Survival From Birth Until Young Adulthood Among Individuals With Congenital Heart Defects: CH STRONG

BACKGROUND

Limited population-based information is available on long-term survival of US individuals with congenital heart defects (CHDs). Therefore, we assessed patterns in survival from birth until young adulthood (ie, 35 years of age) and associated factors among a population-based sample of US individuals with CHDs.

METHODS

Individuals born between 1980 and 1997 with CHDs identified in 3 US birth defect surveillance systems were linked to death records through 2015 to identify those deceased and the year of their death. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for infant mortality (ie, death during the first year of life), and Cox proportional hazard ratios for survival after the first year of life (aHRs) were used to estimate the probability of survival and associated factors. Standardized mortality ratios compared infant mortality, >1-year mortality, >10-year mortality, and >20-year mortality among individuals with CHDs with general population estimates.

RESULTS

Among 11 695 individuals with CHDs, the probability of survival to 35 years of age was 81.4% overall, 86.5% among those without co-occurring noncardiac anomalies, and 92.8% among those who survived the first year of life. Characteristics associated with both infant mortality and reduced survival after the first year of life, respectively, included severe CHDs (aRR=4.08; aHR=3.18), genetic syndromes (aRR=1.83; aHR=3.06) or other noncardiac anomalies (aRR=1.54; aHR=2.53), low birth weight (aRR=1.70; aHR=1.29), and Hispanic (aRR=1.27; aHR=1.42) or non-Hispanic Black (aRR=1.43; aHR=1.80) maternal race and ethnicity. Individuals with CHDs had higher infant mortality (standardized mortality ratio=10.17), >1-year mortality (standardized mortality ratio=3.29), and >10-year and >20-year mortality (both standardized mortality ratios ≈1.5) than the general population; however, after excluding those with noncardiac anomalies, >1-year mortality for those with nonsevere CHDs and >10-year and >20-year mortality for those with any CHD were similar to the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Eight in 10 individuals with CHDs born between1980 and 1997 survived to 35 years of age, with disparities by CHD severity, noncardiac anomalies, birth weight, and maternal race and ethnicity. Among individuals without noncardiac anomalies, those with nonsevere CHDs experienced similar mortality between 1 and 35 years of age as in the general population, and those with any CHD experienced similar mortality between 10 and 35 years of age as in the general population.

Factors influencing the choice-of-care pathway and survival in the fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in New Zealand: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To better understand the relative influence of fetal and maternal factors in determining the choice-of-care pathway (CCP) and outcome in the fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

DESIGN

A retrospective, population-based study of fetuses with HLHS from a national dataset with near-complete case ascertainment from 20 weeks' gestation. Fetal cardiac and non-cardiac factors were recorded from the patient record and maternal factors from the national maternity dataset. The primary endpoint was a prenatal decision for active treatment after birth (intention-to-treat). Factors associated with a delayed diagnosis (≥24 weeks' gestation) were also reviewed. Secondary endpoints included proceeding to surgical treatment, and 30-day postoperative mortality in liveborns with an intention-to-treat.

SETTING

New Zealand population-wide.

PARTICIPANTS

Fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of HLHS between 2006 and 2015.

RESULTS

Of 105 fetuses, the CCP was intention-to-treat in 43 (41%), and pregnancy termination or comfort care in 62 (59%). Factors associated with intention-to-treat by multivariable analysis included a delay in diagnosis (OR: 7.8, 95% CI: 3.0 to 20.6, p<0.001) and domicile in the maternal fetal medicine (MFM) region with the most widely dispersed population (OR: 5.3, 95% CI: 1.4 to 20.3, p=0.02). Delay in diagnosis was associated with Māori maternal ethnicity compared with European (OR: 12.9, 95% CI: 3.1 to 54, p<0.001) and greater distance from the MFM centre (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2 to 8.2, p=0.02). In those with a prenatal intention-to-treat, a decision not to proceed to surgery was associated with maternal ethnicity other than European (p=0.005) and the presence of major non-cardiac anomalies (p=0.01). Thirty-day postoperative mortality occurred in 5/32 (16%) and was more frequent when there were major non-cardiac anomalies (p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Factors associated with the prenatal CCP relate to healthcare access. Anatomic characteristics impact treatment decisions after birth and early postoperative mortality. The association of ethnicity with delayed prenatal diagnosis and postnatal decision-making suggests systemic inequity and requires further investigation.

Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of major congenital anomalies: A population-based register study

Congenital anomalies (CAs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in early life. We aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of major CAs in the State of Qatar. A population-based retrospective data analysis of registry data retrieved from the Perinatal Neonatal Outcomes Research Study in the Arabian Gulf (PEARL-Peristat Study) between April 2017 and March 2018. The sample included 25,204 newborn records, which were audited between April 2017 and March 2018, of which 25,073 live births were identified and included in the study. Maternal risk factors and neonatal outcomes were assessed for association with specific CAs, including chromosomal/genetic, central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular system (CVS), facial, renal, multiple congenital anomalies (MCAs) using univariate and multivariate analyses. The incidence of any CA among live births was 1.3% (n = 332). The most common CAs were CVS (n = 117; 35%), MCAs (n = 69, 21%), chromosomal/genetic (51; 15%), renal (n = 39; 12%), CNS (n = 20; 6%), facial (14, 4%), and other (GIT, Resp, Urogenital, Skeletal) (n = 22, 7%) anomalies. Multivariable regression analysis showed that multiple pregnancies, parity ≥ 1, maternal BMI, and demographic factors (mother's age and ethnicity, and infant's gender) were associated with various specific CAs. In-hospital mortality rate due to CAs was estimated to be 15.4%. CAs were significantly associated with high rates of caesarean deliveries (aOR 1.51; 95% CI 1.04-2.19), Apgar < 7 at 1 min (aOR 5.44; 95% CI 3.10-9.55), Apgar < 7 at 5 min (aOR 17.26; 95% CI 6.31-47.18), in-hospital mortality (aOR 76.16; 37.96-152.8), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or perinatal death of neonate in labor room (LR)/operation theatre (OT) (aOR 34.03; 95% CI 20.51-56.46), prematurity (aOR 4.17; 95% CI 2.75-6.32), and low birth weight (aOR 5.88; 95% CI 3.92-8.82) before and after adjustment for the significant risk factors. This is the first study to assess the incidence, maternal risk factors, and neonatal outcomes associated with CAs in the state of Qatar. Therefore, a specialized congenital anomaly data registry is needed to identify risk factors and outcomes. In addition, counselling of mothers and their families may help to identify specific needs for pregnant women and their babies.

Health Disparities in the Treatment of Supraventricular Tachycardia in Pediatric Patients

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a common pediatric arrhythmia. The objective of this investigation was to investigate the existence and degree of the health disparities in the treatment of pediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia based on sociodemographic factors. This was retrospective cohort study at a large academic medical center including children ages 5-18 years old diagnosed with SVT. Patients with congenital heart disease and myocarditis were excluded. Initial treatment and ultimate treatment with either medical management or ablation were determined. The odds of having an ablation procedure were determined based on patient age, sex, race, ethnicity, and insurance status. There was a larger portion of non-White patients (p = 0.033) within the cohort that did not receive an ablation during the study period. Patients that were younger, female, American Indian/Alaskan Native, unknown race, and had missing insurance information were less likely to receive ablation therapy during the study period. In this single center, regional evaluation, we demonstrated that disparities in the treatment of pediatric SVT are present based on multiple patient sociodemographic factors. This study adds evidence to the presence of inequities in health care delivery across pediatric populations.

Disparities in Loss to Follow-Up Among Adults With Congenital Heart Disease in North Carolina

Background

The AHA/ACC Adult Congenital Heart Disease guidelines recommend that most adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) follow-up with CHD cardiologists every 1 to 2 years because longer gaps in care are associated with adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine the proportion of patients in North Carolina who did not have recommended follow-up and to explore predictors of loss to follow-up.

Methods

Patients ages ≥18 years with a healthcare encounter from 2008 to 2013 in a statewide North Carolina database with an ICD-9 code for CHD were assessed. The proportion with cardiology follow-up within 24 months following index encounter was assessed with Kaplan-Meier estimates. Cox regression was utilized to identify demographic factors associated with differences in follow-up.

Results

2822 patients were identified. Median age was 35 years; 55% were female. 70% were white, 22% black, and 3% Hispanic; 36% had severe CHD. The proportion with 2-year cardiology follow-up was 61%. Those with severe CHD were more likely to have timely follow-up than those with less severe CHD (72% vs 55%, P < .01). Black patients had a lower likelihood of follow-up than white patients (56% vs 64%, P = .01). Multivariable Cox regression identified younger age, non-severe CHD, and non-white race as risk factors for a lower likelihood of follow-up by 2 years.

Conclusion

39% of adults with CHD in North Carolina are not meeting AHA/ACC recommendations for follow-up. Younger and minority patients and those with non-severe CHD were particularly vulnerable to inadequate follow-up; targeted efforts to retain these patients in care may be helpful.

Association of social determinants with the severity of congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart diseases are the most prevalent congenital malformations and cause greater morbi-mortality in newborns and infants. The aim of this study was to analyze the social determinants in families with children with the severity of congenital heart disease.

METHODS

Analytical cross-sectional study in 140 families of children with congenital heart disease to whom a structured survey was applied addressing topics related to family structure, health, economic conditions, exposure factors, and other social conditions relevant to the study, during 1 year.

RESULTS

In all, 53.7% of the studied population belonged to low socioeconomic levels. No association was found between the severity of the heart disease and the presence of pathological antecedents in the parents. The families resided in urban areas. Also, 28.3% of the mothers had four or fewer prenatal controls during pregnancy. Only 22% of heart diseases were diagnosed during pregnancy. It was found that exposure to cigarette and wood smoke during pregnancy, in addition to low socioeconomic status, was associated with greater severity of heart disease (RACHS-1 and STS-Score), when evaluated by pathophysiological groups (cyanotic/non-cyanotic/single ventricle).

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to cigarette smoke, wood smoke during pregnancy, and low socioeconomic status turned out to be social determinants associated with the severity of heart disease analyzed by pathophysiological groups.

IMPACT

The social component has not been well characterized as a cause of congenital heart disease, especially in countries like ours, where the existence of gaps and social inequities have a high impact. The findings of this study could have an impact on public health to the extent that policies are implemented to reduce exposure to cigarettes, especially during pregnancy. Knowledge of these changes and their measurement in this type of pathology could open the door to the creation of policies aimed at their prevention, focusing on the local risk factors found, which can impact the disease.

Disparities in surgical outcomes of neonates with congenital heart disease across regions, centers, and populations

OBJECTIVE

To summarize existing literature on neonatal disparities in congenital heart disease surgical outcomes and identify potential policies to address these disparities.

FINDING

Disparities in outcomes for neonatal congenital heart surgery were largely published under four domains: race/ethnicity, insurance type, neighborhood/socioeconomic status, and cardiac center characteristics. While existing research identifies associations between these domains and mortality, more nuanced analyses are emerging to understand the mediators between these domains and other non-mortality outcomes, as well as potential interventions and policies to reduce disparities. A broader look into social determinants of health (SDOH), prenatal diagnosis, proximity of birth to a cardiac surgical center, and post-surgical outpatient and neurodevelopmental follow-up may accelerate interventions to mitigate disparities in outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the mechanisms of how SDOH relate to neonatal surgical outcomes is paramount, as disparities research in neonatal congenital heart surgery continues to shift from identification and description, to intervention and policy.

Distance from home to birth hospital, transfer, and mortality in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in California

BACKGROUND

Prior studies report a lower risk of mortality among neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who are born at a cardiac surgical center, but many neonates with HLHS are born elsewhere and transferred for repair. We investigated the associations between the distance from maternal home to birth hospital, the need for transfer after birth, sociodemographic factors, and mortality in infants with HLHS in California from 2006 to 2011.

METHODS

We used linked data from two statewide databases to identify neonates for this study. Three groups were included in the analysis: "lived close/not transferred," "lived close/transferred," and "lived far/not transferred." We defined "lived close" versus "lived far" as 11 miles, the median distance from maternal residence to birth hospital. Log-binomial regression models were used to identify the association between sociodemographic variables, distance to birth hospital and transfer. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the association between mortality and distance to birth hospital and transfer. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables.

RESULTS

Infants in the lived close/not transferred and the lived close/transferred groups (vs. the lived far/not transferred group) were more likely to live in census tracts above the 75th percentile for poverty with relative risks 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41-2.68) and 1.21 (95% CI 1.05-1.40), respectively. Neonatal mortality was higher among the lived close/not transferred group compared with the lived far/not transferred group (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.17-2.67).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants born to mothers experiencing poverty were more likely to be born close to home. Infants with HLHS who were born close to home and not transferred to a cardiac center had a higher risk of neonatal mortality than infants who were delivered far from home and not transferred. Future studies should identify the barriers to delivery at a cardiac center for mothers experiencing poverty.

Race-based disparities in access to surgical palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities in outcomes have been shown to persist in many operative specialties, including the management of congenital heart disease. Using a demographic-adjusted methodology, we examined whether patient race influenced access to high-performing centers for the operative management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

METHODS

The 2005-2017 National Inpatient Sample was queried to identify all pediatric (≤5 years) hospitalizations with an operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. A racial disparity index was generated for each hospital and defined as the proportion of White patients receiving operative management for hypoplastic left heart syndrome divided by the proportion of White patients admitted for respiratory failure. This methodology quantified hospital-level racial variation while adjusting for the local racial makeup of each center.

RESULTS

Of the 17,275 patients who met inclusion criteria, 64.1% were managed at high-volume centers. Patients at high-volume centers had a similar distribution of operative type, age, and burden of comorbidities. The mean racial disparity index steadily grew from 1.06 at the lowest volume decile of operative volume to 1.51 at the highest, indicating an increasing proportion of White patients as volume increased. Using risk-adjusted analysis, each decile increase in hospital volume was associated with a 14% relative reduction in odds of mortality and a 0.06 increase in predicted racial disparity index. Increasing volume was further associated with reduced odds of non-home discharge but did not alter resource utilization.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that high-volume centers disproportionally serve White patients and have superior clinical outcomes compared to low-volume centers. This study highlights the critical importance of equitable access to expert care for high-risk conditions such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Social Determinants of Disparities in Mortality Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Social determinants of health (SDoH) affect congenital heart disease (CHD) mortality across all forms and age groups. We sought to evaluate risk of mortality from specific SDoH stratified across CHD to guide interventions to alleviate this risk.

Methods

We searched electronic databases between January 1980 and June 2019 and included studies that evaluated occurrence of CHD deaths and SDoH in English articles. Meta-analysis was performed if SDoH data were available in &gt;3 studies. We included race/ethnicity, deprivation, insurance status, maternal age, maternal education, single/multiple pregnancy, hospital volume, and geographic location of patients as SDoH. Data were pooled using random-effects model and outcome was reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Of 17,716 citations reviewed, 65 met inclusion criteria. Sixty-three were observational retrospective studies and two prospective. Of 546,981 patients, 34,080 died. Black patients with non-critical CHD in the first year of life (Odds Ratio 1.62 [95% confidence interval 1.47–1.79], I2 = 7.1%), with critical CHD as neonates (OR 1.27 [CI 1.05-1.55], I2 = 0%) and in the first year (OR 1.68, [1.45-1.95], I2 = 0.3%) had increased mortality. Deprived patients, multiple pregnancies, patients born to mothers &lt;18 years and with education &lt;12 years, and patients on public insurance with critical CHD have greater likelihood of death after the neonatal period.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that Black patients with CHD are particularly vulnerable for mortality. Numerous SDoH that affect mortality were identified for specific time points in CHD course that may guide interventions, future research and policy.

Systematic Review Registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019139466&amp;ID=CRD42019139466], identifier [CRD42019139466].

Ten-Year Survival of Children With Congenital Anomalies: A European Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the survival up to age 10 for children born alive with a major congenital anomaly (CA).

METHODS

This population-based linked cohort study (EUROlinkCAT) linked data on live births from 2005 to 2014 from 13 European CA registries with mortality data. Pooled Kaplan-Meier survival estimates up to age 10 were calculated for these children (77 054 children with isolated structural anomalies and 4011 children with Down syndrome).

RESULTS

The highest mortality of children with isolated structural CAs was within infancy, with survival of 97.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 96.6%-98.1%) and 96.9% (95% CI: 96.0%-97.7%) at age 1 and 10, respectively. The 10-year survival exceeded 90% for the majority of specific CAs (27 of 32), with considerable variations between CAs of different severity. Survival of children with a specific isolated anomaly was higher than in all children with the same anomaly when those with associated anomalies were included. For children with Down syndrome, the 10-year survival was significantly higher for those without associated cardiac or digestive system anomalies (97.6%; 95% CI: 96.5%-98.7%) compared with children with Down syndrome associated with a cardiac anomaly (92.3%; 95% CI: 89.4%-95.3%), digestive system anomaly (92.8%; 95% CI: 87.7%-98.2%), or both (88.6%; 95% CI: 83.2%-94.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Ten-year survival of children born with congenital anomalies in Western Europe from 2005 to 2014 was relatively high. Reliable information on long-term survival of children born with specific CAs is of major importance for parents of these children and for the health care professionals involved in their care.

Disability Among Young Adults With Congenital Heart Defects: Congenital Heart Survey to Recognize Outcomes, Needs, and Well-Being 2016-2019

Background

Disabilities have implications for health, well‐being, and health care, yet limited information is available on the percentage of adults with congenital heart defects (CHD) living with disabilities. We evaluated the prevalence of disability and associated characteristics among the 2016–2019 CH STRONG (Congenital Heart Survey to Recognize Outcomes, Needs, and Well‐Being) population‐based sample of 19‐ to 38‐year‐olds with CHD from 3 US locations.

Methods and Results

Prevalence of disability types (hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self‐care, living independently) were compared with similarly aged adults from the general population as estimated by the American Community Survey and standardized to the CH STRONG eligible population to reduce nonresponse bias and confounding. Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured via Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health Scale T‐scores standardized to US 18‐ to 34‐year‐olds. Separate multivariable regression models assessed associations between disability and HRQOL. Of 1478 participants, 40% reported disabilities, with cognition most prevalent (29%). Of those reporting disability, 45% ever received disability benefits and 46% were unemployed. Prevalence of disability types were 5 to 8 times higher in adults with CHD than the general population. Those with ≥1 disability had greater odds of being female, and of having non‐Hispanic Black maternal race and ethnicity, severe CHD, recent cardiac care, and noncardiac congenital anomalies. On average, adults with CHD and cognition, mobility, and self‐care disabilities had impaired mental HRQOL and those with any disability type had impaired physical HRQOL.

Conclusions

Two of 5 adults with CHD may have disabilities, which are associated with impaired HRQOL. These results may inform healthcare needs and services for this growing population.

Geographical variation in infant mortality due to congenital heart disease in the USA: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about geographical variation in infant mortality due to congenital heart disease (CHD) and the social determinants of health that might mediate such variation. We aimed to examine US county-level estimates of infant mortality due to CHD to understand geographical patterns and factors that might influence variation in mortality.

METHODS

This US population-based cohort study used linked livebirth-infant death cohort files from the US National Center for Health Statistics from Jan 1, 2006, to Dec 31, 2015. All deaths attributable to congenital heart disease in infants in a given year were included. We used hierarchical Bayesian models to estimate rates of infant mortality due to congenital heart disease for all US counties. We mapped model-based estimates to explore geographical patterns. Covariates included infant sex, gestational age, maternal race and ethnicity, percentage of the county population below the poverty level, and proximity of the county to a US News & World Report 2015 top-50 ranked paediatric cardiac centre.

FINDINGS

From 2006 to 2015, 40 847 089 livebirths occurred, of which there were 13 988 infant deaths attributed to congenital heart disease, with an unadjusted infant mortality rate due to CHD of 0·34 per 1000 livebirths (95% CI 0·34-0·35). Kentucky and Mississippi had the greatest proportions of counties with a predicted rate of infant mortality due to CHD above the 95th percentile. All counties in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island had a predicted rate below the fifth percentile. In the model, lower mortality risk correlated with closer proximity to a top-50 ranked paediatric cardiac centre (odds ratio [OR] 0·890, 95% credible interval [CrI] 0·840-0·942), whereas higher mortality risk correlated with higher levels of poverty (OR 1·181, 95% CrI 1·125-1·239).

INTERPRETATION

Substantial geographical variation exists in infant mortality due to CHD in the USA, highlighting the potential importance of bolstering care delivery for infants from economically deprived communities and areas remote from top-performing paediatric cardiac centres.

FUNDING

None.

Racial and ethnic disparities in coronary, vascular, structural, and congenital heart disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States. However, percutaneous interventional cardiovascular therapies are often underutilized in Blacks, Hispanics, and women and may contribute to excess morbidity and mortality in these vulnerable populations. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is committed to reducing racial, ethnic, and sex-based treatment disparities in interventional cardiology patients. Accordingly, each of the SCAI Clinical Interest Councils (coronary, peripheral, structural, and congenital heart disease [CHD]) participated in the development of this whitepaper addressing disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in underserved populations. The councils were charged with summarizing the available data on prevalence, treatment, and outcomes and elucidating potential reasons for any disparities. Given the huge changes in racial and ethnic composition by age in the United States (Figure 1), it was difficult to determine disparities in rates of diagnosis and we expected to find some racial differences in prevalence of disease. For example, since the average age of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is 80 years, one may expect 80% of TAVR patients to be non-Hispanic White. Conversely, only 50% of congenital heart interventions would be expected to be performed in non-Hispanic Whites. Finally, we identified opportunities for SCAI to advance clinical care and equity for our patients, regardless of sex, ethnicity, or race.

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in congenital heart surgery: A research article

BACKGROUND

Though the modern era has proven to be reassuring with the advancement of perioperative care leading to improved survival, congenital heart disease (CHD) continues to underscore its significance in the lives of newborns and families worldwide. Particularly, CHD has disproportionately afflicted vulnerable minorities such as Black and Hispanic populations from the standpoint of ethnic disparities in mortality following heart surgery, increased resource utilization, and longer durations of stay. This study aims to identify and provide insight regarding the relationships between the aforementioned factors to develop targeted strategies of intervention to mitigate the outcomes for patients of these specific populations.

METHODS

Free, current peer-reviewed literature from databases such as the American Heart Association, The European Heart Journal, Science Direct, and PubMed regarding CHD, racial disparities, and socioeconomic variances were accessed. The study was narrowed to a patient population including only infants without chromosomal anomalies or those that passed away before hospital discharge.

RESULTS

Having private insurance and maternal education showed positive correlations with positive outcomes of patients post congenital heart surgery. Teaching hospitals were linked with increased mortality and complications. Male infants showed higher rates of complications. Hispanics had increased odds of complications. Black patients had increased risk for failures in being rescued.

CONCLUSIONS

Race plays a major role in the disparities in CHD, it is imperative to evaluate the socioeconomic contributors, surgical efforts, and provisions in place regarding minority patients. The apparency of these disparities, and willingness to invoke changes in practice has the potential for improvements in outcomes for these patients.

Weight impacts 1-year congenital heart surgery outcomes independent of race/ethnicity and payer

Body mass index, race/ethnicity, and payer status are associated with operative mortality in congenital heart disease (CHD). Interactions between these predictors and impacts on longer term outcomes are less well understood. We studied the effect of body mass index, race/ethnicity, and payer on 1-year outcomes following elective CHD surgery and tested the degree to which race/ethnicity and payer explained the effects of body mass index. Patients aged 2-25 years who underwent elective CHD surgery at our centre from 2010 to 2017 were included. We assessed 1-year unplanned cardiac re-admissions, re-interventions, and mortality. Step-wise, multivariable logistic regression was performed.Of the 929 patients, 10.4% were underweight, 14.9% overweight, and 8.5% obese. Non-white race/ethnicity comprised 40.4% and public insurance 29.8%. Only 0.5% died prior to hospital discharge with one additional death in the first post-operative year. Amongst patients with continuous follow-up, unplanned re-admission and re-intervention rates were 14.7% and 12.3%, respectively. In multivariable analyses adjusting for surgical complexity and surgeon, obese, overweight, and underweight patients had higher odds of re-admission than normal-weight patients (OR 1.40, p = 0.026; OR 1.77, p < 0.001; OR 1.44, p = 0.008). Underweight patients had more than twice the odds of re-intervention compared with normal weight (OR 2.12, p < 0.001). These associations persisted after adjusting for race/ethnicity, payer, and surgeon.Pre-operative obese, overweight, and underweight body mass index were associated with unplanned re-admission and/or re-intervention 1-year following elective CHD surgery, even after accounting for race/ethnicity and payer status. Body mass index may be an important modifiable risk factor prior to CHD surgery.

Racial Disparities in Hospital Mortality Among Pediatric Cardiomyopathy and Myocarditis Patients

Racially disparate health outcomes exist for a multitude of populations and illnesses. It is unknown how race and ethnicity impact mortality for children with cardiomyopathy or myocarditis. This retrospective cross-sectional study employed the Kids' Inpatient Database to analyze 34,617 hospital admissions for patients ≤ 18 years old with cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, or both, without concomitant congenital heart disease. Multivariate logistic regression models investigated the impact of race/ethnicity on in-hospital mortality adjusting for age, calendar year, sex, insurance type, diagnostic category, treatment at a pediatric hospital, and non-cardiac organ dysfunction. African American race and Hispanic ethnicity were independent risk factors for mortality (African American: odds ratio (OR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.53 and Hispanic: OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03-1.60). African American race was also found to be significantly associated with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), mortality while on ECMO, and cardiac arrest. Adjusting the regression model for ECMO and arrest attenuated the impact of African American race on mortality, suggesting that these variables may indeed play a role in explaining the impact of race on mortality for African American patients with myocardial disease. Hispanic ethnicity remained associated with higher risk of mortality despite controlling for all mechanical circulatory support and transplant (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.04-1.63). Children of racial and ethnic minorities hospitalized with cardiomyopathy or myocarditis are more likely to die than their white counterparts, a trend that may be due at least in part to in-hospital differences in care or response to therapy.

Timing of Transfer and Mortality in Neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome in California

Maternal race/ethnicity is associated with mortality in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). We investigated whether maternal race/ethnicity and other sociodemographic factors affect timing of transfer after birth and whether timing of transfer impacts mortality in infants with HLHS. We linked two statewide databases, the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative and records from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, to identify cases of HLHS born between 1/1/06 and 12/31/11. Cases were divided into three groups: birth at destination hospital, transfer on day of life 0-1 ("early transfer"), or transfer on day of life ≥ 2 ("late transfer"). We used log-binomial regression models to estimate relative risks (RR) for timing of transfer and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for mortality. We excluded infants who died within 60 days of life without intervention from the main analyses of timing of transfer, since intervention may not have been planned in these infants. Of 556 cases, 107 died without intervention (19%) and another 52 (9%) died within 28 days. Of the 449 included in analyses of timing of transfer, 28% were born at the destination hospital, 49% were transferred early, and 23% were transferred late. Late transfer was more likely for infants of low birthweight (RR 1.74) and infants born to US-born Hispanic (RR 1.69) and black (RR 2.45) mothers. Low birthweight (HR 1.50), low 5-min Apgar score (HR 4.69), and the presence of other major congenital anomalies (HR 3.41), but not timing of transfer, predicted neonatal mortality. Late transfer was more likely in neonates born to US-born Hispanic and black mothers but was not associated with higher mortality.

Socioeconomic Deprivation and Its Adverse Association with Adolescent Fracture Care Compliance

Background:

Socioeconomic deprivation increases fracture incidence in adolescents, but its impact on fracture care is unknown. The area deprivation index (ADI), which incorporates 17 factors from the U.S. Census, measures socioeconomic deprivation in neighborhoods. This investigation aimed to determine the impact of socioeconomic deprivation and other socioeconomic factors on fracture care compliance in adolescents.

Methods:

This study included patients who were 11 to 18 years of age and received fracture care at a single urban children’s hospital system between 2015 and 2017. Demographic information (sex, race, caregiver status, insurance type) and clinical information (mechanism of injury, type of treatment) were obtained. The ADI, which has a mean score of 100 points and a standard deviation of 20 points, was used to quantify socioeconomic deprivation for each patient’s neighborhood. The outcome variables related to compliance included the quantity of no-show visits at the orthopaedic clinic and delays in follow-up care of >1 week. Risk factors for suboptimal compliance were evaluated by bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression.

Results:

The cohort included 457 adolescents; 75.9% of the patients were male, and the median age was 16.1 years. The median ADI was 101.5 points (interquartile range, 86.3 to 114.9 points). Bivariate analyses demonstrated that higher ADI, black race, single-parent caregiver status, Medicaid insurance, non-sports mechanisms of injury, and surgical management are associated with suboptimal fracture care compliance. Adolescents from the most socially deprived regions were significantly more likely to have delays in care (33.8% compared with 20.1%; p = 0.037) and miss scheduled orthopaedic visits (29.9% compared with 7.1%; p < 0.001) compared with adolescents from the least deprived regions. ADI, Medicaid insurance, and initial presentation to the emergency department were independent predictors of suboptimal care compliance, when controlling for other variables.

Conclusions:

Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with an increased risk of suboptimal fracture care compliance in adolescents. Clinicians can utilize caregiver and insurance status to better understand the likelihood of fracture care compliance. These findings highlight the importance of understanding differences in each family’s ability to adhere to the recommended follow-up and of implementing measures to enhance compliance.

Health literacy and caregiver understanding in the CHD population

BACKGROUND

CHD is the most common birth defect type, with one-fourth of patients requiring intervention in the first year of life. Caregiver understanding of CHD may vary. Health literacy may be one factor contributing to this variability.

METHODS

The study occurred at a large, free-standing children's hospital. Recruitment occurred at a free-of-charge CHD camp and during outpatient cardiology follow-up visits. The study team revised the CHD Guided Questions Tool from an eighth- to a sixth-grade reading level. Caregivers of children with CHD completed the "Newest Vital Sign" health literacy screen and demographic surveys. Health literacy was categorised as "high" (Newest Vital Sign score 4-6) or "low" (score 0-3). Caregivers were randomised to read either the original or revised Guided Questions Tool and completed a validated survey measuring understandability and actionability of the Guided Questions Tool. Understandability and actionability data analysis used two-sample t-testing, and within demographic group differences in these parameters were assessed via one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Eighty-two caregivers participated who were largely well educated with a high income. The majority (79.3%) of participants scored "high" for health literacy. No differences in understanding (p = 0.43) or actionability (p = 0.11) of the original and revised Guided Questions Tool were noted. There were no socio-economic-based differences in understandability or actionability (p > 0.05). There was a trend towards improved understanding of the revised tool (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that readability of the Guided Questions Tool could be improved. Future work is needed to expand the study population and further understand health literacy's impact on the CHD community.

US Mortality Attributable to Congenital Heart Disease Across the Lifespan From 1999 Through 2017 Exposes Persistent Racial/Ethnic Disparities

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart disease (CHD) accounts for ≈40% of deaths in US children with birth defects. Previous US data from 1999 to 2006 demonstrated an overall decrease in CHD mortality. Our study aimed to assess current trends in US mortality related to CHD from infancy to adulthood over the past 19 years and determine differences by sex and race/ethnicity.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis of death certificates from 1999 to 2017 to calculate annual CHD mortality by age at death, race/ethnicity, and sex. Population estimates used as denominators in mortality rate calculations for infants were based on National Center for Health Statistics live birth data. Mortality rates in individuals ≥1 year of age used US Census Bureau bridged-race population estimates as denominators. We used joinpoint regression to characterize temporal trends in all-cause mortality, mortality resulting directly attributable to and related to CHD by age, race/ethnicity, and sex.

RESULTS

There were 47.7 million deaths with 1 in 814 deaths attributable to CHD (n=58 599). Although all-cause mortality decreased 16.4% across all ages, mortality resulting from CHD declined 39.4% overall. The mean annual decrease in CHD mortality was 2.6%, with the largest decrease for those >65 years of age. The age-adjusted mortality rate decreased from 1.37 to 0.83 per 100 000. Males had higher mortality attributable to CHD than females throughout the study, although both sexes declined at a similar rate (≈40% overall), with a 3% to 4% annual decrease between 1999 and 2009, followed by a slower annual decrease of 1.4% through 2017. Mortality resulting from CHD significantly declined among all races/ethnicities studied, although disparities in mortality persisted for non-Hispanic Blacks versus non-Hispanic Whites (mean annual decrease 2.3% versus 2.6%, respectively; age-adjusted mortality rate 1.67 to 1.05 versus 1.35 to 0.80 per 100 000, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Although overall US mortality attributable to CHD has decreased over the past 19 years, disparities in mortality persist for males in comparison with females and for non-Hispanic Blacks in comparison with non-Hispanic Whites. Determining factors that contribute to these disparities such as access to quality care, timely diagnosis, and maintenance of insurance will be important moving into the next decade.

Effect of newborn screening for critical CHD on healthcare utilisation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of state-mandated policies for pulse oximetry screening on healthcare utilisation, with a focus on use of echocardiograms.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project, Statewide Inpatient Databases from 2008 to 2014 from six states.

METHODS

We defined pre- and post-mandate cohorts based on dates when pulse oximetry became mandated in each state. Linear segmented regression models for interrupted time series assessed associations between implementation of the screening and changes in rate of newborns with Critical CHD-negative echocardiogram results. We also evaluated the changes in rate of newborns who underwent echocardiogram but were not diagnosed with any health issues that could cause hypoxemia.

RESULTS

We identified 5967 critical CHD-negative echocardiograms (2847 and 3120 in the pre- and post-mandate periods, respectively). Our models detected a statistically significant increasing trend in rate of critical CHD-negative echocardiograms in the pre-mandate period (Incidence Rate Ratio: 1.08, p = 0.02), but did not detect any statistical differences in changes between pre- and post-mandate periods (Incidence Rate Ratio: 0.93, p = 0.14). Among non-Whites, an increasing trend of Critical CHD-negative echocardiogram during the pre-mandate period was detected (Incidence Rate Ratio 1.12, p < 0.01) and was attenuated during the post-mandate period (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.89, p = 0.02). Similar results were observed in the sensitivity analyses among both Whites and non-Whites.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that mandatory state screening policies are associated with reductions in false-positive screening rates for hypoxemic conditions, with reductions primarily attributed to trends among non-Whites.

Development and Validation of a Seizure Prediction Model in Neonates After Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

Electroencephalographic seizures (ESs) after neonatal cardiac surgery are often subclinical and have been associated with poor outcomes. An accurate ES prediction model could allow targeted continuous electroencephalographic monitoring (CEEG) for high-risk neonates.

METHODS

ES prediction models were developed and validated in a multicenter prospective cohort where all postoperative neonates who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) also underwent CEEG.

RESULTS

ESs occurred in 7.4% of neonates (78 of 1053). Model predictors included gestational age, head circumference, single-ventricle defect, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest duration, cardiac arrest, nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and delayed sternal closure. The model performed well in the derivation cohort (c-statistic, 0.77; Hosmer-Lemeshow, P = .56), with a net benefit (NB) over monitoring all and none over a threshold probability of 2% in decision curve analysis (DCA). The model had good calibration in the validation cohort (Hosmer-Lemeshow, P = .60); however, discrimination was poor (c-statistic, 0.61), and in DCA there was no NB of the prediction model between the threshold probabilities of 8% and 18%. By using a cut point that emphasized negative predictive value in the derivation cohort, 32% (236 of 737) of neonates would not undergo CEEG, including 3.5% (2 of 58) of neonates with ESs (negative predictive value, 99%; sensitivity, 97%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large prospective cohort, a prediction model of ESs in neonates after CPB had good performance in the derivation cohort, with an NB in DCA. However, performance in the validation cohort was weak, with poor discrimination, poor calibration, and no NB in DCA. These findings support CEEG of all neonates after CPB.

Socioeconomic Mediators of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Congenital Heart Disease Outcomes: A Population-Based Study in California

Background

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist in outcomes for children with congenital heart disease. We sought to determine the influence of race/ethnicity and mediating socioeconomic factors on 1‐year outcomes for live‐born infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and dextro‐Transposition of the great arteries.

Methods and Results

The authors performed a population‐based cohort study using the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. Live‐born infants without chromosomal anomalies were included. The outcome was a composite measure of mortality or unexpected hospital readmissions within the first year of life defined as >3 (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) or >1 readmissions (dextro‐Transposition of the great arteries). Hispanic ethnicity was compared with non‐Hispanic white ethnicity. Mediation analyses determined the percent contribution to outcome for each mediator on the pathway between race/ethnicity and outcome. A total of 1796 patients comprised the cohort (n=964 [hypoplastic left heart syndrome], n=832 [dextro‐Transposition of the great arteries]) and 1315 were included in the analysis (n=477 non‐Hispanic white, n=838 Hispanic). Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a poor outcome (crude odds ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–2.17). Higher maternal education (crude odds ratio 0.5; 95% CI, 0.38–0.65) and private insurance (crude odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45–0.71) were protective. In the mediation analysis, maternal education and insurance status explained 33.2% (95% CI, 7–66.4) and 27.6% (95% CI, 6.5–63.1) of the relationship between race/ethnicity and poor outcome, while infant characteristics played a minimal role.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic factors explain a significant portion of the association between Hispanic ethnicity and poor outcome in neonates with critical congenital heart disease. These findings identify vulnerable populations that would benefit from resources to lessen health disparities.

Ethnic-specific mortality of infants undergoing congenital heart surgery in England and Wales

PURPOSE

To investigate ethnic differences in mortality for infants with congenital heart defects (CHDs) undergoing cardiac surgery or interventional catheterisation.

DESIGN

Observational study of survival to age 1 year using linked records from routine national paediatric cardiac surgery and intensive care audits. Mortality risk was investigated using multivariable Poisson models with multiple imputation. Predictors included sex, ethnicity, preterm birth, deprivation, comorbidities, prenatal diagnosis, age and weight at surgery, preprocedure deterioration and cardiac diagnosis.

SETTING

All paediatric cardiac surgery centres in England and Wales.

PATIENTS

5350 infants with CHDs born from 2006 to 2009.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Survival at age 1 year.

RESULTS

Mortality was 83.9 (95% CI 76.3 to 92.1) per 1000 infants, with variation by ethnic group. Compared with those of white ethnicity, infants in British Asian (Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi) and 'all other' (Chinese, mixed and other) categories experienced significantly higher mortality by age 1 year (relative risk [RR] 1.52[95% CI 1.19 to 1.95]; 1.62[95% CI 1.20 to 2.20], respectively), specifically during index hospital admission (RR 1.55 [95% CI 1.07 to 2.26]; 1.64 [95% CI 1.05 to 2.57], respectively). Further predictors of mortality included non-cardiac comorbidities, prenatal diagnosis, older age at surgery, preprocedure deterioration and cardiac diagnosis. British Asian infants had higher mortality risk during elective hospital readmission (RR 1.86 [95% CI 1.02 to 3.39]).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants of British Asian and 'all other' non-white ethnicity experienced higher postoperative mortality risk, which was only partly explained by socioeconomic deprivation and access to care. Further investigation of case-mix and timing of risk may provide important insights into potential mechanisms underlying ethnic disparities.

Trends in Long-Term Mortality After Congenital Heart Surgery

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart surgery has improved the survival of patients with even the most complex defects, but the long-term survival after these procedures has not been fully described.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term survival of patients (age <21 years) who were operated on for congenital heart defects (CHDs).

METHODS

This study used the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data, a U.S.-based, multicenter registry of pediatric cardiac surgery. Survival analysis included 35,998 patients who survived their first congenital heart surgery at <21 years of age and had adequate identifiers for linkage with the National Death Index through 2014. Survival was compared to that in the general population using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 18 years (645,806 person-years), 3,191 deaths occurred with an overall SMR of 8.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.0 to 8.7). The 15-year SMR decreased from 12.7 (95% CI: 11.9 to 13.6) in the early era (1982 to 1992) to 10.0 (95% CI: 9.3 to 10.8) in the late era (1998 to 2003). The SMR remained elevated even for mild forms of CHD such as patent ductus arteriosus (SMR 4.5) and atrial septal defects (SMR 4.9). The largest decreases in SMR occurred for patients with transposition of great arteries (early: 11.0 vs. late: 3.8; p < 0.05), complete atrioventricular canal (31.3 vs. 15.3; p < 0.05), and single ventricle (53.7 vs. 31.3; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large U.S. cohort, long-term mortality after congenital heart surgery was elevated across all forms of CHD. Survival has improved over time, particularly for severe defects with significant changes in their management strategy, but still lags behind the general population.

Social Risk Factors Impact Hospital Readmission and Outpatient Appointment Adherence for Children with Congenital Heart Disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relations of individual and cumulative social risk factors to hospitalization outcomes and adherence to outpatient cardiology appointments within the first 2 years of life for congenital heart disease survivors.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were extracted for 219 patients who underwent infant cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Cumulative social risk was dichotomized into high social risk (≥2 risk factors; n = 103) versus low social risk (≤1 risk factor; n = 116). The risk of morbidity by procedure was assigned from 1 to 5 (Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Morbidity Scores and Categories). Two-way ANOVAs examined the effects of social risk and morbidity risk on length of first surgical hospitalization, number of readmissions and readmission days, subsequent cardiac surgical interventions, and adherence to outpatient cardiology appointments.

RESULTS

An interaction between social risk and morbidity risk was identified for number of readmission days, F(4, 209) = 3.07, P = .02, η² = .06. Pairwise comparisons demonstrated that, among those patients with the lowest risk of morbidity by procedure (morbidity scores of 1 and 2), patients at high social risk had more readmission days than patients at low social risk (morbidity score 1: 16.63 ± 34.41 days vs 3.02 ± 7.13 days; morbidity score 2: 27.68 ± 52.11 days vs 2.20 ± 4.43 days). High social risk also predicted significantly worse adherence to cardiology appointments.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative social risk impacts readmission days for patients with congenital heart disease with a low risk of morbidity by procedure. Social risk assessment can identify families who may benefit from social/behavioral interventions to optimize discharge readiness, congenital heart disease home management, and long-term outcomes.

Sociodemographic Factors and Survival of Infants With Congenital Heart Defects

OBJECTIVES

To examine the first-year survival of infants with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and investigate the potential role of socioeconomic and demographic factors on survival.

METHODS

Subjects included 15 533 infants with CHDs born between 2004 and 2013 ascertained by the NC Birth Defects Monitoring Program. We classified CHDs into the following 3 groups: critical univentricular (n = 575), critical biventricular (n = 1494), and noncritical biventricular (n = 13 345). We determined vital status and age at death through linkage to state vital records and used geocoded maternal residence at birth to obtain census information for study subjects. We calculated Kaplan-Meier survival estimates by maternal and infant characteristics and derived hazard ratios from Cox proportional hazard models for selected exposures.

RESULTS

Among all infants with CHDs, there were 1289 deaths (8.3%) in the first year. Among infants with univentricular defects, 61.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 57.7%-65.7%) survived. Survival among infants with univentricular defects was considerably better for those whose fathers were ≥35 years old (71.6%; 95% CI: 63.8%-80.3%) compared with those whose fathers were younger (59.7%; 95% CI: 54.6%-65.2%). Factors associated with survival among infants with any biventricular defect included maternal education, race and/or ethnicity, marital status, and delivery at a heart center. The hazard of infant mortality was greatest among non-Hispanic African American mothers.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival among infants with critical univentricular CHDs was less variable across sociodemographic categories compared with survival among infants with biventricular CHDs. Sociodemographic differences in survival among infants with less severe CHDs reinforces the importance of ensuring culturally effective pediatric care for at-risk infants and their families.

Racial variations in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use following congenital heart surgery

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies demonstrate racial and ethnic disparities among children undergoing congenital heart surgery. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to support critically ill children after congenital heart surgery and improve survival. Thus, racial or ethnic variations in postoperative ECMO use following congenital heart surgery may be associated with racial/ethnic disparities in hospital survival.

METHODS

All children in the Pediatric Health Information Systems dataset undergoing congenital heart surgery from 2004 to 2015 were examined. Multivariable, multinomial regression models examining hospital survival without ECMO use, survival after ECMO, death after ECMO, and death without ECMO support were constructed.

RESULTS

Of 130,860 congenital cardiac surgery patients, 95.4% survived to hospital discharge without requiring ECMO support, whereas 1.3% survived after ECMO support, 1.3% died after ECMO support, and 1.9% died without receiving ECMO support. After adjustment for other covariates, black patients (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.42) and patients of other race (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.17-1.58) were at increased odds of mortality compared with white patients. In multivariable multinomial models, black patients had increased risk of death without ECMO support (relative risk, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.11-1.56). Patients of other race (relative risk, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.10-1.69) and governmental insurance (relative risk, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.12-1.37) were also at increased risk of death without ECMO.

CONCLUSIONS

Black children and children of other race are at increased odds of mortality after congenital heart surgery. These disparities can be traced to variations in ECMO utilization across racial/ethnic groups.

Parental perceptions of disease-severity and health-related quality of life in school-age children with congenital heart disease

PURPOSE

Understanding parents' perceptions of their child's health status is important as parents are drivers of healthcare utilization in the pediatric setting. Understanding parent-perceived disease-severity and its effects on a child's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) is necessary to evaluate outcomes of care, improve care coordination, and inform policies focused on advancing family-centered care for pediatric cardiac patients. The impact of CHDs and disease-severity on the child's HRQOL has been investigated with inconsistent results. The overall aim of this study was to examine parents' perceptions of HRQOL in their school-age child with CHD, and to compare HRQOL among patients with CHD across severity categories.

DESIGN

This was a descriptive correlational study design.

METHODS

A total of 71 parents of school-age children aged 5-12 years completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale (PedsQL) (including total, physical health, and psychosocial health summary scores) and cardiac-specific HRQOL Scale (PedsQL 3.0). PedsQL scores among CHD severity categories were compared by analysis of variance.

RESULTS

School-age children with CHDs had an overall good HRQOL with significant differences among disease severity categories for all scores. Parents reported lower scores on their HRQOL of older children compared to younger children across severity groups (p < .01) and for those children with more severe disease (p < .01).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Based on the results of this study, interventions should focus on targeting psychosocial health in older children with CHD and physical health in younger children with CHD. This information is useful in providing practical recommendations in caring for children with CHDs while informing relevant policies.

Birth defect survival for Hispanic subgroups

BACKGROUND

Previous studies demonstrate that infant and childhood mortality differ among children with birth defects by maternal race/ethnicity, but limited mortality information is published for Hispanic ethnic subgroups.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using data for children with birth defects born to Hispanic mothers during 1999-2007 from 12 population-based state birth defects surveillance programs. Deaths were ascertained through multiple sources. Survival probabilities were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the effect of clinical and demographic factors on mortality risk.

RESULTS

Among 28,497 Hispanic infants and children with major birth defects, 1-year survival was highest for infants born to Cuban mothers at 94.6% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 92.7-96.0) and the lowest for Mexicans at 90.2% (95% CI 89.7-90.6; p < .0001). For children aged up to 8 years, survival remained highest for Cuban Americans at 94.1% (95% CI 91.8-95.7) and lowest for Mexican Americans at 89.2% (95% CI 88.7-89.7; p = .0002). In the multivariable analysis using non-Hispanic White as the reference group, only infants and children born to Mexican mothers were noted to have a higher risk of mortality for cardiovascular defects.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis provides a better understanding of survival and mortality for Hispanic infants and children with selected birth defects. The differences found in survival, particularly the highest survival rates for Cuban American children and lowest for Mexican American children with birth defects, underscores the importance of assessing Hispanic ethnic subgroups, as differences among subgroups appear to exist.

Survival, by Birth Weight and Gestational Age, in Individuals With Congenital Heart Disease: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart disease (CHD) survival estimates are important to understand prognosis and evaluate health and social care needs. Few studies have reported CHD survival estimates according to maternal and fetal characteristics. This study aimed to identify predictors of CHD survival and report conditional survival estimates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cases of CHD (n=5070) born during 1985-2003 and notified to the Northern Congenital Abnormality Survey (NorCAS) were matched to national mortality information in 2008. Royston-Parmar regression was performed to identify predictors of survival. Five-year survival estimates conditional on gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and year of birth were produced for isolated CHD (ie, CHD without extracardiac anomalies). Year of birth, gestational age, birth weight, and extracardiac anomalies were independently associated with mortality (all P≤0.001). Five-year survival for children born at term (37-41 weeks) in 2003 with average birth weight (within 1 SD of the mean) was 96.3% (95% CI, 95.6-97.0). Survival was most optimistic for high-birth-weight children (>1 SD from the mean) born post-term (≥42 weeks; 97.9%; 95% CI, 96.8-99.1%) and least optimistic for very preterm (<32 weeks) low-birth-weight (<1 SD from mean) children (78.8%; 95% CI, 72.8-99.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Five-year CHD survival is highly influenced by gestational age and birth weight. For prenatal counseling, conditional survival estimates provide best- and worst-case scenarios, depending on final gestational age and birth weight. For postnatal diagnoses, they can provide parents with more-accurate predictions based on their baby's birth weight and gestational age.

Effect of Concomitant Birth Defects and Genetic Anomalies on Infant Mortality in Tetralogy of Fallot

BACKGROUND

A substantial proportion of infants born with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) die in infancy. A better understanding of the heterogeneity associated with TOF, including extracardiac malformations and chromosomal anomalies is vital to stratifying risk and optimizing outcomes during infancy.

METHODS

Using the North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program, infants diagnosed with TOF and born between 2003 and 2012 were included. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate cumulative 1-year mortality, stratified by the presence of concomitant birth defects (BDs) and chromosomal anomalies. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the direct effect of each concomitant BD, after adjusting for all others.

RESULTS

A total of 496 infants with TOF were included, and 15% (n = 76) died. The number of concomitant BD systems was significantly associated with the risk of death at 1-year, p < 0.0001. Specifically, the risk of mortality was 8% among infants with TOF with or without additional cardiac defects, 16% among infants with TOF and 1 extracardiac BD system, 19% among infants with 2 extracardiac BD systems, and 39% among infants with ≥ 3 extracardiac BD systems. After adjustment, concomitant eye and gastrointestinal defects were significantly associated increased with 1-year mortality, odds ratio 2.83 (95% confidence interval, 1.08-7.32) and odds ratio 4.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.57, 12.45), respectively. Infants with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 were also significantly more likely to die, p < 0.0001.

CONCLUSION

Both concomitant BDs and genetic anomalies increase the risk of mortality among infants with TOF. Future studies are needed to identify the underlying genetic and socioeconomic risk factors for high-risk TOF infants. Birth Defects Research 109:1154-1165, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Larger Centers Produce Better Outcomes in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Regionalization is a Superior Model - The Con Prospective

Regionalization, in the context of congenital heart surgery, describes a process where smaller units close and patients are redistributed to larger centers. Proponents argue this will produce superior patient outcome based primarily on a volume-outcome effect. The potential disadvantage is that, as distance to center increases, access to service is compromised. In this article the volume-outcome effect is appraised and the effect of risk-stratification and threshold volumes explored. Access to service, and how certain congenital lesions and demographics might be disadvantaged, is reviewed. Alternative models are considered including collaborative programing and a standardizing approach of agreed parameters in personnel and infrastructure. Finally the influence of newer developments and quality metrics, including outcome databases, digital technologies and team-cognitive performance, needs to be factored in as the future unfolds. Ultimately, the design of a national congenital cardiac program should aspire to deliver care that is optimal, equitable and economic for the whole population. The solution lies in the distillation of competing variables cognizant of regional demographics and geography.

Cost and Cost-Effectiveness Assessments of Newborn Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease Using Pulse Oximetry: A Review

Screening newborns for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) using pulse oximetry is recommended to allow for the prompt diagnosis and prevention of life-threatening crises. The present review summarizes and critiques six previously published estimates of the costs or cost-effectiveness of CCHD screening from the United Kingdom, United States, and China. Several elements that affect CCHD screening costs were assessed in varying numbers of studies, including screening staff time, instrumentation, and consumables, as well as costs of diagnosis and treatment. A previous US study that used conservative assumptions suggested that CCHD screening is likely to be considered cost-effective from the healthcare sector perspective. Newly available estimates of avoided infant CCHD deaths in several US states that implemented mandatory CCHD screening policies during 2011-2013 suggest a substantially larger reduction in deaths than was projected in the previous US cost-effectiveness analysis. Taking into account these new estimates, we estimate that cost per life-year gained could be as low as USD 12,000. However, that estimate does not take into account future costs of health care and education for surviving children with CCHD nor the costs incurred by health departments to support and monitor CCHD screening policies and programs.

Long-Term Survival of Individuals Born With Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Estimates of long-term survival are required to adequately assess the variety of health and social services required by those with congenital heart disease (CHD) throughout their lives.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Medline, Embase, and Scopus were searched from inception to June 2015 using MeSH headings and keywords. Population-based studies that ascertained all persons born with CHD within a predefined area and reported survival estimates at ≥5 years were included. Unadjusted survival estimates for each CHD subtype at ages 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, and so forth were extracted. Pooled survival estimates for each age were calculated using meta-analyses. Metaregression was performed to examine the impact of study period on survival. Of 7840 identified articles, 16 met the inclusion criteria. Among those with CHD, pooled 1-year survival was 87.0% (95% CI 82.1-91.2), pooled 5-year survival was 85.4% (95% CI 79.4-90.5), and pooled 10-year survival was 81.4% (95% CI 73.8-87.9). There was significant heterogeneity of survival estimates among articles (P<0.001 for 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival). A more recent study period was significantly associated with greater survival at ages 1 year (P=0.047), 5 years (P=0.013), and 10 years (P=0.046). Survival varied by CHD subtype, with 5-year survival being greatest for those with ventricular septal defect (96.3%, 95% CI 93.7-98.2) and lowest for those with hypoplastic left heart (12.5%, 95% CI 0.0-41.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Among persons with CHD, the mortality rate is greatest during the first year of life; however, this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that survival decreases gradually after infancy and into adulthood.

Development and Validation of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Indicator for Mortality After Congenital Heart Surgery Harmonized With Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) Methodology

BACKGROUND

The National Quality Forum previously approved a quality indicator for mortality after congenital heart surgery developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Several parameters of the validated Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) method were included, but others differed. As part of the National Quality Forum endorsement maintenance process, developers were asked to harmonize the 2 methodologies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Parameters that were identical between the 2 methods were retained. AHRQ's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases (SID) 2008 were used to select optimal parameters where differences existed, with a goal to maximize model performance and face validity. Inclusion criteria were not changed and included all discharges for patients <18 years with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification procedure codes for congenital heart surgery or nonspecific heart surgery combined with congenital heart disease diagnosis codes. The final model includes procedure risk group, age (0-28 days, 29-90 days, 91-364 days, 1-17 years), low birth weight (500-2499 g), other congenital anomalies (Clinical Classifications Software 217, except for 758.xx), multiple procedures, and transfer-in status. Among 17 945 eligible cases in the SID 2008, the c statistic for model performance was 0.82. In the SID 2013 validation data set, the c statistic was 0.82. Risk-adjusted mortality rates by center ranged from 0.9% to 4.1% (5th-95th percentile).

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital heart surgery programs can now obtain national benchmarking reports by applying AHRQ Quality Indicator software to hospital administrative data, based on the harmonized RACHS-1 method, with high discrimination and face validity.

Infant deaths in the UK community following successful cardiac surgery: building the evidence base for optimal surveillance, a mixed-methods study

Background

While early outcomes of paediatric cardiac surgery have improved, less attention has been given to later outcomes including post-discharge mortality and emergency readmissions.

Objectives

Our objectives were to use a mixed-methods approach to build an evidenced-based guideline for postdischarge management of infants undergoing interventions for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods

Systematic reviews of the literature – databases used: MEDLINE (1980 to 1 February 2013), EMBASE (1980 to 1 February 2013), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1981 to 1 February 2013), The Cochrane Library (1999 to 1 February 2013), Web of Knowledge (1980 to 1 February 2013) and PsycINFO (1980 to 1 February 2013). Analysis of audit data from the National Congenital Heart Disease Audit and Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network databases pertaining to records of infants undergoing interventions for CHD between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2010. Qualitative analyses of online discussion posted by 73 parents, interviews with 10 helpline staff based at user groups, interviews with 20 families whose infant either died after discharge or was readmitted urgently to intensive care, and interviews with 25 professionals from tertiary care and 13 professionals from primary and secondary care. Iterative multidisciplinary review and discussion of evidence incorporating the views of parents on suggestions for improvement.

Results

Despite a wide search strategy, the studies identified for inclusion in reviews related only to patients with complex CHD, for whom adverse outcome was linked to non-white ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status, comorbidity, age, complexity and feeding difficulties. There was evidence to suggest that home monitoring programmes (HMPs) are beneficial. Of 7976 included infants, 333 (4.2%) died postoperatively, leaving 7634 infants, of whom 246 (3.2%) experienced outcome 1 (postdischarge death) and 514 (6.7%) experienced outcome 2 (postdischarge death plus emergency intensive care readmissions). Multiple logistic regression models for risk of outcomes 1 and 2 had areas under the receiver operator curve of 0.78 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75 to 0.82] and 0.78 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.80), respectively. Six patient groups were identified using classification and regression tree analysis to stratify by outcome 2 (range 3–24%), which were defined in terms of neurodevelopmental conditions, high-risk cardiac diagnosis (hypoplastic left heart, single ventricle or pulmonary atresia), congenital anomalies and length of stay (LOS) > 1 month. Deficiencies and national variability were noted for predischarge training and information, the process of discharge to non-specialist services including documentation, paediatric cardiology follow-up including HMP, psychosocial support post discharge and the processes for accessing help when an infant becomes unwell.

Conclusions

National standardisation may improve discharge documents, training and guidance on ‘what is normal’ and ‘signs and symptoms to look for’, including how to respond. Infants with high-risk cardiac diagnoses, neurodevelopmental conditions or LOS > 1 month may benefit from discharge via their local hospital. HMP is suggested for infants with hypoplastic left heart, single ventricle or pulmonary atresia. Discussion of postdischarge deaths for infant CHD should occur at a network-based multidisciplinary meeting. Audit is required of outcomes for this stage of the patient journey.

Future work

Further research may determine the optimal protocol for HMPs, evaluate the use of traffic light tools for monitoring infants post discharge and develop the analytical steps and processes required for audit of postdischarge metrics.

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013003483 and CRD42013003484.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme. The National Congenital Heart Diseases Audit (NCHDA) and Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network (PICANet) are funded by the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme, administered by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP). PICAnet is also funded by Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee; NHS Lothian/National Service Division NHS Scotland, the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, National Office of Clinical Audit Ireland, and HCA International. The study was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and University College London. Sonya Crowe was supported by the Health Foundation, an independent charity working to continuously improve the quality of health care in the UK.

Unexpected deaths and unplanned re-admissions in infants discharged home after cardiac surgery: a systematic review of potential risk factors

BACKGROUND

Babies with CHDs are a particularly vulnerable population with significant mortality in their 1st year. Although most deaths occur in the hospital within the early postoperative period, around one-fifth of postoperative deaths in the 1st year of life may occur after hospital discharge in infants who have undergone apparently successful cardiac surgery. Aim To systematically review the published literature and identify risk factors for adverse outcomes, specifically deaths and unplanned re-admissions, following hospital discharge after infant surgery for life-threatening CHDs.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, and PsycINFO electronic databases, supplemented by manual searching of conference abstracts.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies were eligible for inclusion. Almost exclusively, studies were conducted in single US centres and focussed on children with complex single ventricle diagnoses. A wide range of risk factors were evaluated, and those more frequently identified as having a significant association with higher mortality or unplanned re-admission risk were non-Caucasian ethnicity, lower socio-economic status, co-morbid conditions, age at surgery, operative complexity and procedure type, and post-operative feeding difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies investigating risk factors for adverse outcomes post-discharge following diverse congenital heart operations in infants are lacking. Further research is needed to systematically identify higher risk groups, and to develop interventions targeted at supporting the most vulnerable infants within an integrated primary and secondary care pathway.

Racial/ethnic differences in survival of United States children with birth defects: a population-based study

OBJECTIVES

To examine racial/ethnic-specific survival of children with major birth defects in the US.

STUDY DESIGN

We pooled data on live births delivered during 1999-2007 with any of 21 birth defects from 12 population-based birth defects surveillance programs. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to calculate cumulative survival probabilities and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate mortality risk.

RESULTS

For most birth defects, there were small-to-moderate differences in neonatal (<28 days) survival among racial/ethnic groups. However, compared with children born to non-Hispanic white mothers, postneonatal infant (28 days to <1 year) mortality risk was significantly greater among children born to non-Hispanic black mothers for 13 of 21 defects (hazard ratios [HRs] 1.3-2.8) and among children born to Hispanic mothers for 10 of 21 defects (HRs 1.3-1.7). Compared with children born to non-Hispanic white mothers, a significantly increased childhood (≤ 8 years) mortality risk was found among children born to Asian/Pacific Islander mothers for encephalocele (HR 2.6), tetralogy of Fallot, and atrioventricular septal defect (HRs 1.6-1.8) and among children born to American Indian/Alaska Native mothers for encephalocele (HR 2.8), whereas a significantly decreased childhood mortality risk was found among children born to Asian/Pacific Islander mothers for cleft lip with or without cleft palate (HR 0.6).

CONCLUSION

Children with birth defects born to non-Hispanic black and Hispanic mothers carry a greater risk of mortality well into childhood, especially children with congenital heart defect. Understanding survival differences among racial/ethnic groups provides important information for policy development and service planning.