INCIDENCE OF STRUCTURAL CARDIAC DISORDERS IN NEONATES - AN EVALUATIONBY COLOR DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND THE RESULTS OF A 1-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Non-biased 502 consecutive neonates were examined by sectorial and col or Doppler flow imaging at a mean age of 1.0 day (SD 0.4). Patent fora men ovale was present in 266 (53%) and transient patent ductus arterio sus in 104 (21%). Cardiac disorders were recognized in 19 (3.8%); vent ricular septal defect (VSD) in 10; atrial septal defect (ASD) in 4; pu lmonary stenosis in 2; aortic stenosis, endocardial cushion defect and tricuspid regurgitation in 1 each. With a spontaneous closure of 8 VS Ds and 4 ASDs during the first 12 months, the incidences of cardiac ma lformation were, consequently, 3.2% at 1 month, 1.4% at 6 months and 1 .0% at 12 months.