Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate prognosis of type of ventricular septal defects and coexistence of associated cardiac and extracardiac defects.

Methods:

120 prenatal diagnosed pregnancies associated with ventricular septal pathology were retrospective evaluated and divided into four groups as atrioventricular septal defects, perimembranous septal defects, muscular septal defects and univentricular formation. Each group were divided afterwards again into four groups as isolated defect, co-existing extracardiac defect, septal defect with extracardiac defect and septal defect with co-existing cardiac and extracardiac defect. Postnatal follow-up was done until 8 months of life, at least.

Results:

Median gestational age at diagnosis was 26.3 weeks, 47 cases were diagnosed before 24 weeks. After dispersion of septal defects there was a statistical significance of p=0.0089 between groups. Of 31 cases with atrioventricular septal defects, only one case survived (3.2%) and there was a high association with extracardiac defects and abnormal karyotype (p=0.002). 69 cases with perimembranous ventricular septal defects were diagnosed and 24 cases (34.8%) survived, with significance for abnormal karyotype (p=0.039). Of 18 cases born with muscular septal defects 12 cases (66.7%) stay alive. We had two cases with univentricular structure; both cases decided for termination of pregnancy.

Conclusion:

The more complicated and severe pathology, the worsen prognosis. Individualized counseling is the most important point in decision making together with families.

Keywords: Atrioventricular septal defects, perimembranous ventricular septal defects, muscular ventricular septal defects, associated abnormalities, prognosis