Incidence of structural cardiac disorders in neonates: an evaluation by color Doppler echocardiography and the results of a 1-year follow-up.

Non-biased 502 consecutive neonates were examined by sectorial and color Doppler flow imaging at a mean age of 1.0 day (SD 0.4). Patent foramen ovale was present in 266 (53%) and transient patent ductus arteriosus in 104 (21%). Cardiac disorders were recognized in 19 (3.8%); ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 10; atrial septal defect (ASD) in 4; pulmonary stenosis in 2; aortic stenosis, endocardial cushion defect and tricuspid regurgitation in 1 each. With a spontaneous closure of 8 VSDs and 4 ASDs during the first 12 months, the incidences of cardiac malformation were, consequently, 3.2% at 1 month, 1.4% at 6 months and 1.0% at 12 months.