Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acid

Introduction: Congenital heart defects (CHD) have an estimated prevalence of 4 to 9 cases per 1 000 births, and they have a significant impact on child morbidity and mortality. This prevalence variability has been attributed to regional differences in terms of genetic and environmental factors, amo...

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Main Author: Julián Ramírez-Cheyne
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2020-01-01
Series:Revista de la Facultad de Medicina
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/revfacmed/article/view/69885
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author Julián Ramírez-Cheyne
author_facet Julián Ramírez-Cheyne
author_sort Julián Ramírez-Cheyne
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Congenital heart defects (CHD) have an estimated prevalence of 4 to 9 cases per 1 000 births, and they have a significant impact on child morbidity and mortality. This prevalence variability has been attributed to regional differences in terms of genetic and environmental factors, among others. Objective: To obtain data on prenatal exposure variables of patients with CHD treated in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: A survey was administered to the mothers of 30 children aged 0 to 5 years with CDH treated in 2 health institutions of Cali, Colombia. The instrument was oriented to collect data on multiple prenatal exposure variables, and data collected were entered into an Excel database in order to analyze them using descriptive statistics. Results: Several types of exposure potentially associated with having CHD were found, including altered body mass index, inadequate administration of folic acid, and being exposed to X-rays, vitamin A, alcohol and tobacco. Conclusion: Insufficient or untimely administration of folic acid could facilitate the development of teratogenic effects of oxidizing agents. Therefore, education programs on the importance of a proper intake of folic acid and the risks derived from exposure to teratogenic agents during pregnancy should be provided to all pregnant women in Cali to reduce the incidence rate of CHD in the city.
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spelling doaj.art-31778022cb314a49ae99442c032cc7392023-05-17T17:12:14ZengUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaRevista de la Facultad de Medicina0120-00112357-38482020-01-0168110.15446/revfacmed.v68n1.69885Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acidJulián Ramírez-Cheyne0Universidad del Valle - Faculty of Health - School of Basic Sciences - Department of Morphology - Santiago de Cali - Colombia Introduction: Congenital heart defects (CHD) have an estimated prevalence of 4 to 9 cases per 1 000 births, and they have a significant impact on child morbidity and mortality. This prevalence variability has been attributed to regional differences in terms of genetic and environmental factors, among others. Objective: To obtain data on prenatal exposure variables of patients with CHD treated in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: A survey was administered to the mothers of 30 children aged 0 to 5 years with CDH treated in 2 health institutions of Cali, Colombia. The instrument was oriented to collect data on multiple prenatal exposure variables, and data collected were entered into an Excel database in order to analyze them using descriptive statistics. Results: Several types of exposure potentially associated with having CHD were found, including altered body mass index, inadequate administration of folic acid, and being exposed to X-rays, vitamin A, alcohol and tobacco. Conclusion: Insufficient or untimely administration of folic acid could facilitate the development of teratogenic effects of oxidizing agents. Therefore, education programs on the importance of a proper intake of folic acid and the risks derived from exposure to teratogenic agents during pregnancy should be provided to all pregnant women in Cali to reduce the incidence rate of CHD in the city. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/revfacmed/article/view/69885Congenital Heart DefectsEnvironmental ExposureCongenital Abnormalities
spellingShingle Julián Ramírez-Cheyne
Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acid
Revista de la Facultad de Medicina
Congenital Heart Defects
Environmental Exposure
Congenital Abnormalities
title Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acid
title_full Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acid
title_fullStr Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acid
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acid
title_short Characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0-5 years with congenital heart defect treated in Cali, Colombia. The importance of folic acid
title_sort characterization of prenatal exposure variables in a group of children aged 0 5 years with congenital heart defect treated in cali colombia the importance of folic acid
topic Congenital Heart Defects
Environmental Exposure
Congenital Abnormalities
url https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/revfacmed/article/view/69885
work_keys_str_mv AT julianramirezcheyne characterizationofprenatalexposurevariablesinagroupofchildrenaged05yearswithcongenitalheartdefecttreatedincalicolombiatheimportanceoffolicacid