Evaluating the global, regional, and national burden of congenital heart disease in infants younger than 1 year: a 1990–2021 systematic analysis for the GBD study 2021

CHD remains a significant and rapidly escalating global challenge in child health. While it is difficult to significantly reduce the prevalence of CHD, especially in complex cases, advances in prenatal diagnosis and the availability of medical termination of pregnancy in certain regions have led to demographic changes. Additionally, birth rates, typically lower in high-SDI countries, also influence the prevalence of CHD. Given these factors, the focus should be on improving survival outcomes and quality of life for affected infants. Our findings reveal substantial global disparities in prevalence among infants under 1 year, emphasizing the need for policy reforms that address screening, treatment, and data collection to mitigate these disparities.