Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease among Patients with Down Syndrome in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the prevalence and pattern of congenital heart disease (CHD) among patients with Down syndrome (DS) in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of CHD in patients with DS and explore the association of participants’ sex with CHD in DS patients. METHODOLOGY: A total of 42 patients with confirmed DS were enrolled in the study. Relevant data were obtained from the patients’ records. The spectrum of CHD was analyzed and classified accordingly. Pearson's Chi-square was used to determine the association of gender with CHD. RESULTS: Approximately 81% of the study participants had CHD. The most common CHD was atrial septal defect (28.5%), followed by ventricular septal defect (25%), patent ductus arteriosus (16%), and atrioventricular septal defect (14.3%). No significant association was found between CHDs and sex. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CHD in the study group was consistent with reports from other regions of Saudi Arabia and globally. Participants’ sex was not associated with the occurrence of CHD in DS patients in this study.