Abstract
Objective: To find out the most common types of congenital heart defects among Down syndrome children in Duhok/Kurdistan and the effects of parental consanguinity on the pattern of congenital heart defects. Background: Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality due to a trisomy of chromosome number 21, commonly associated with congenital heart defects. Methods: A study was done in Heevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital and Early Detection Childhood Disability Center in Duhok city, from the period of January 2010 to January 2011 Results: Congenital heart defects were detected in 44/80 (55%) children. Ventricular Septal Defect was the most common 18/44, followed by atrioventricular septal defect 12/44, atrial septal sefect 7/44, Tetralogy of Fallot 4/44, patent ductus arteriosus, hypetrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy 2/44. Consanguinity was found in 22 (27%) of all parents Conclusion: Slightly higher frequency of congenital heart defects was documented in Down syndrome children from the population of Duhok city with a high consanguineous marriage rate. The frequencies of specific lesions were differing to those reported internationally; ventricular septal defect was the most frequently detected in this study
