Factors influencing the spontaneous closure of ventricular septal defect in infants.

UNLABELLED: This study is to prospectively evaluate the potential value of maternal and infantile variables as predictors for the spontaneous ventricular septal defects (VSD) closure in infants.

METHODS: Consecutive infants less than six-month-old when diagnosed with VSD, were followed-up for at least 5 years. Demographic, clinical and maternal factors were evaluated for the possible associations of the incidence of spontaneous VSD closure Of the 425 eligible infants, 93 had spontaneous VSD closure, 78.50% of which occurred when the patients were under 3 years of age. Diameter of the defect (DVSD), ratio between diameter of the defect and aortic root diameter (DVSD/DAR), left atrium sizes, left ventricle sizes, main pulmonary forward blood flow, infection scores, shunt ratio (Qp/Qs), VSD locations, and comorbidities including patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and membranous septal aneurysm were independent predictors of spontaneous closure. However, maternal factors during the first 3 months of pregnancy and VSD infants with Down syndrome did not affect the spontaneous closure of infants with VSD.

CONCLUSION: DVSD, DVSD/DAR, left atrium sizes, left ventricle sizes, main pulmonary forward blood flow, infection scores, Qp/Qs, VSD location, comorbidities including PDA, or membranous septal aneurysm may be used as potential independent predictors of spontaneous VSD closure in infants.