Copenhagen Baby Heart Study: a population study of newborns with prenatal inclusion

Anne-Sophie Sillesen, Anna Axelsson Raja, Christian Pihl, Ruth Ottilia Birgitta Vøgg, Morten Hedegaard, Pernille Emmersen, Karin Sundberg, Ann Tabor, Cathrine Vedel, Helle Zingenberg, Charlotte Kruse, Charlotte Wilken-Jensen, Tina Holm Nielsen, Finn Stener Jørgensen, Dorthe Lisbeth Jeppesen, Lars Søndergaard, Pia R Kamstrup, Børge G Nordestgaard, Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, Niels VejlstrupHeather A Boyd, Henning Bundgaard, Kasper Iversen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are reported in 0.8% of newborns. Numerous factors influence cardiovascular development and CHD prevalence, and possibly also development of cardiovascular disease later in life. However, known factors explain the probable etiology in only a fraction of patients. Past large-scale population-based studies have made invaluable contributions to the understanding of cardiac disease, but none recruited participants prenatally and focused on the neonatal period. The Copenhagen Baby Heart Study (CBHS) is a population-based study of the prevalence, spectrum, and prognosis of structural and functional cardiac abnormalities. The CBHS will also establish normal values for neonatal cardiac parameters and biomarkers, and study prenatal and early childhood factors potentially affecting later cardiovascular disease risk. The CBHS is an ongoing multicenter, prospective study recruiting from second trimester pregnancy (gestational weeks 18-20) (expected n = 25,000). Information on parents, pregnancy, and delivery are collected. After birth, umbilical cord blood is collected for biochemical analysis, DNA purification, and biobank storage. An echocardiographic examination, electrocardiography, and post-ductal pulse oximetry are performed shortly after birth. Infants diagnosed with significant CHD are referred to a specialist or admitted to hospital, depending on CHD severity. CBHS participants will be followed prospectively as part of specific research projects or regular clinical follow-up for CHD. CBHS design and methodology are described. The CBHS aims to identify new mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease development and new targets for prevention, early detection, and management of CHD and other cardiac diseases presenting at birth or developing later in life.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Epidemiology
Volume34
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)79-90
Number of pages12
ISSN0393-2990
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • DNA/blood
  • Denmark/epidemiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reference Values
  • Research Design
  • Risk Factors

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