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Seoul, South Korea – A new study published in the journal Circulation reveals a concerning link between congenital heart defects (CHDs) in newborns and an elevated risk of cancer in both the children and their mothers.
Researchers analyzing data from over 3.5 million live births in South Korea between 2005 and 2019 found that newborns with CHDs were 66% more likely to develop cancer compared to those without heart defects. Notably, the risk more than doubled for infants with defects involving blood vessels or heart valves, and was twice as high for those with complex CHDs.
The most common cancers observed in both groups were leukemia (21%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (11%).
“Our research highlights the importance of maternal factors and genetic traits and understanding how they may be connected,” stated Dr. June Huh, lead author and professor of cardiology at Samsung Medical Center.
The study also unveiled a surprising finding: mothers of children with CHDs were 17% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer within a 10-year follow-up period. Researchers speculate that this association could stem from shared genetic predispositions or mutations contributing to both CHDs and cancer, or potentially environmental factors.
“This finding needs to be further explored to understand if there are environmental factors affecting genes (epigenetics) or stress-related changes linking congenital heart defects with maternal cancer risk,” said Dr. Keila N. Lopez, an American Heart Association volunteer expert.
The research underscores the importance of comprehensive, lifelong care for children with CHDs, emphasizing the need for close monitoring by pediatric cardiologists and primary care physicians.
The study utilized the Korean National Health Insurance Service (K-NHIS) database, which provided extensive health records, including diagnoses and medical procedures. 72,205 newborns had a congenital heart defect out of the over 3.5 million births analyzed.
Limitations of the study include the possibility of unknown factors influencing the results and limited statistical power for certain CHD subtypes. While conducted in Korea, the researchers believe the findings may be applicable to other populations.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided research and is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Individuals with concerns about congenital heart defects or cancer risk should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Further research is needed to fully understand the link between CHDs and cancer.
