Risk factors for congenital heart diseases in Alexandria, Egypt

A matched case control study has been conducted in the children's hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt, during 2 years-period, aiming at investigating the r isk factors for the occurrence of congenital heart diseases. Our results sh owed that the significant risk factors for developing any type of congenita l heart disease and ventricular septal defects were: older paternal age at birth, positive consanguinity, positive family history, female sex hormones , irradiation, hazardous maternal occupation, diabetes mellitus and suburba n or rural residence. However, some environmental/teratogenic factors were not implicated in the etiology of atrial septal defects or pulmonary stenos is. These findings strongly suggest that environmental factors vary accordi ng to the specific type of congenital heart disease. This study emphasizes on the need to instruct the public about the importance of pre-marital coun seling and the deleterious effects of various teratogens in the environment .