Congenital Heart Defects in Newborns Linked to Substantial Cancer Risk
Seoul, Monday, 17 March 2025.
A study reveals newborns with heart defects have a 66% increased risk of developing cancer, with their mothers also showing a 17% higher risk. Leukemia and lymphoma are prevalent cancer types.
Groundbreaking Research Findings
A comprehensive study analyzing health records of over 3.5 million live births in Korea from 2005 to 2019 has revealed startling correlations between congenital heart defects (CHD) and cancer risk [1][2]. The research, published on March 16, 2025, shows that newborns with complex CHD or defects affecting blood vessels or heart valves face more than double the cancer risk compared to those without heart defects [1]. In the United States, approximately 12 infants per 1,000 births are diagnosed with congenital heart defects [2].
Cancer Patterns and Risk Distribution
The study identifies leukemia (21%) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (11%) as the most prevalent cancer types among affected children [1]. Dr. June Huh, lead researcher and professor of cardiology, emphasizes that genetic variants inherited from mothers may create conditions conducive to cancer development in CHD patients, suggesting a shared genetic pathway between both conditions [1]. This genetic connection is particularly significant given that mothers who gave birth to newborns with congenital heart defects showed a 17% higher likelihood of cancer diagnosis during the ten-year follow-up period [1][2].
Healthcare Implications and Future Directions
The findings underscore the critical need for integrating cancer risk assessments into care plans for both affected newborns and their mothers [2]. Dr. Huh advocates for a multidisciplinary approach in healthcare delivery, stating that this research ‘serves as a clarion call for a multidisciplinary approach in the care provided to these families’ [2]. While the study provides valuable insights, researchers acknowledge certain limitations, including unexamined variables such as socioeconomic factors and potential diversity limitations in the Korean population studied [2].