Abstract
BackgroundIn French Guiana, pregnant women may be exposed to infectious, environmental, and social risks leading to congenital malformation. The objective of the study was to study mortality rates from congenital malformations among infants < 1 year and to compare them with those in mainland France.MethodsWe used the CEPI DC (INSERM) database, which compiles annual data from death certificates in all French territories using the International Classification of Diseases. Annual deaths for French Guiana and mainland France between 2005 and 2015 were compiled. The age category studied was children less than 1 year and deaths from congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities were compiled. Crude risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to quantify the excess risk of disease in French Guiana.ResultsIn French Guiana between 2005 and 2015 there were 666 deaths of children aged < 1 year, among which, 132 (19.8%) were due to congenital malformations and chromosomal anomalies. Overall the risk ratio of death from congenital malformations and chromosomal anomalies between French Guiana and mainland France was 2.7 (1.5–4.7), P < 0.001 for neurological congenital malformations it was 4.8 (1.2–19.7), P = 0.01 and for congenital malformations of the circulatory system it was 3.3 (1.5–6.9), P = 0.001.ConclusionsThe incidence of death from congenital malformations or chromosomal anomalies in French Guiana was significantly higher than in mainland France. Explanations for this may be infections, genetic causes, nutritional causes, and toxic causes that are prevalent. There is a need to identify factors that predispose children born in French Guiana to having a higher risk of congenital malformations and chromosomal anomalies.
Highlights
Congenital heart defects (CHD) account for nearly one third of babies with major congenital anomalies diagnosed in Europe [1, 2]
When comparing risk ratios for deaths by gender there was no significant difference
The present paper showed that in French Guiana the incidence of death from congenital malformations of the cardiovascular and neurological system was significantly higher than in mainland France
Summary
Congenital heart defects (CHD) account for nearly one third of babies with major congenital anomalies diagnosed in Europe [1, 2]. In the USA, congenital heart defects (CHDs) are diagnosed in ‘10 in 1000 to 1500 newborns [3]. In Barbados, congenital malformations of the circulatory system are estimated to be 1.2 per 1000 births (1–1.5) [4]. In Latin America, there are heterogeneities in congenital heart defects ranging from 0.037 to 2.7 per 1000 births [5]. There has been a French Guiana is a French overseas territory located on the Guiana shield. It has the highest GDP per capita in Latin America, there is a structural lag with mainland France and marked health inequalities within. The objective of the study was to study mortality rates from congenital malformations among infants < 1 year and to compare them with those in mainland France
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