Cross-Sectional Study of Neonates With Congenital Heart Defects Related to Maternal Nicotine Consumption During Pregnancy: A Single-Center Experience

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Maternal nicotine use during pregnancy is a known teratogen, with studies linking it to an increased risk of CHDs. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of CHDs in neonates and maternal nicotine consumption during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of CHDs in newborns and their association with nicotine consumption during pregnancy at Dr. Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas from 2021 to 2024. The data were collected from the medical records of newborns and their mothers and recorded in a checklist, which included maternal age, newborn gender, type of heart defect, duration of nicotine use during pregnancy, source of nicotine, and history of congenital heart disease in previous children. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: A total of 145 newborns with CHDs were identified, yielding a prevalence of 0.9%. Of these, 72 (49.7%) were male, and 73 (50.3%) were female. The average maternal age was 32.01±6.4 years. Among the newborns, 18 (12.4%) had mothers who used nicotine during pregnancy, with 83.3% of exposures occurring in the first trimester. The prevalence of CHDs in previous children was 16.6%. Conclusion: The most commonly identified CHDs were ventricular septal defect and atrial septal defect type 2. However, no significant association was found between maternal nicotine consumption and the development of CHDs. This study indicates that genetic and environmental factors may play a more significant role in the development of CHD.