Descriptive Epidemiology of Non-syndromic Complete Atrioventricular Canal Defects

Background: Complete atrioventricular canal defects (CAVC) are a common heart defect, but few epidemiologic studies have evaluated non‐syndromic CAVC. Risk factors for non‐syndromic CAVC have not been well established. Methods: To assess the relationship between risk for non‐syndromic CAVC in offspring and several sociodemographic and reproductive parental factors, including maternal diabetes and obesity, we conducted Poisson regression analyses, using data ascertained through the Texas Birth Defects Registry, a large, population‐based birth defects registry. Data were evaluated for 563 non‐syndromic cases with CAVC. Results: Significant associations were observed between non‐syndromic CAVC in offspring and maternal pregestational diabetes (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 6.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.67, 12.37), gestational diabetes (aPR 1.69; 95% CI 1.03, 2.79) and obesity (aPR 1.69; 95% CI 1.24, 2.30). Conclusions: Our findings add non‐syndromic CAVC to the growing list of birth defects that appear to be associated with maternal diabetes and obesity.