Abstract
It has been suggested anecdotally that socioeconomic differences exist between patients (pts) with different diagnostic categories of congenital cardiac defects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate socioeconomic status (SES) in a retrospective manner in populations presenting with two common congenital cardiac defects: isolated patency of the ductus arteriosus (PDA), excluding newborns and prematures and isolated atrial septal defect (ASD). All pts presenting with the diagnosis of ASD or PDA over a 5 year period were included. Pts with associated cardiovascular malformations or noncardiovascular syndromes were excluded. 101 children with PDA and 59 with ASD were included. Low SES was identified by information for eligibility for county, state, or federal economic assistance and classified according to the federal guidelines for the poverty level. Patients were placed into racial and ethnic categories based on information given at the time of the first clinic visit. Results of this assessment were that 37% (37/101) of PDA and 15% (9/59) of ASD pts were in the low SES category. Racial/ethnic distribution among PDA's was 54/101 Anglo, 10/101 black, 33/101 hispanic, 4/101 Asian. Distribution among ASD's was 43/59 Anglo, 4/59 black, 7/59 hispanic, 5/59 Asians. Significant differences were found between the ASD and PDA groups for SES (X2), and between proportions of Anglo and hispanic pts. Based on this we conclude that a difference in SES exists between ASD and PDA pts. Possible explanations are: differences in perinatal care or nutrition, differences in hereditary risk based on genetic background, and bias in referral.
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Mas, M., Mullins, C., Bricker, J. et al. LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS HAVE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF PRESISTENT PATENCY OF THE DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 258 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00548
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00548