The prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve in newborns by echocardiographic screening

• Published in: The American heart journal Vol. 150; no. 3; pp. 513 - 515
• Main Authors: Tutar, Ercan, Ekici, Filiz, Atalay, Semra, Nacar, Nazire
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.09.2005; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Aortic Valve - abnormalities; Aortic Valve - diagnostic imaging; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Congenital heart diseases. Malformations of the aorta, pulmonary vessels and vena cava; Defects; Electrocardiography; Endocardial and cardiac valvular diseases; Female; Heart; Heart Defects, Congenital - diagnostic imaging; Heart Defects, Congenital - epidemiology; Hospitals; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Neonatal Screening; Patients; Population; Prevalence; Pulmonary arteries; Studies; Ultrasonography; Veins & arteries; Sonography; Human; Echocardiography; Prevalence; Cardiovascular disease; Medical screening; Epidemiology; Congenital disease; Phlebology; Newborn; Cardiac valvular disease; Bicuspid aortic valve; Circulatory system; Cardiology
• ISSN: 0002-8703; 1097-6744
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2004.10.036

This study was carried out to determine the true prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) in newborns, which has not yet been determined. One thousand seventy five live born neonates (567 male neonates, 508 female neonates; gestational ages ranging from 27 to 42 weeks, and birth weights ranging from 720 to 4780 g) were screened by transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiography to assess the prevalence of BAV. BAV was identified in a prevalence of 4.6 in 1000 live births. The prevalence of BAV by sex was 7.1 of 1000 in male neonates, and 1.9 of 1000 in female neonates. All newborns with BAV were asymptomatic. Mild aortic regurgitation was found in only 1 neonate with BAV. Because BAV may result in aortic valvular stenosis and/or regurgitation, a recommendation of regular follow-ups and antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis should be necessary.