Comparative Analysis of the Prevalence of Congenital Heart Defects in the East Kazakhstan Region

At present, the frequency and forms of congenital anomalies including malformations of the heart and blood vessels are poorly understood. More than 400 nuclear explosion tests were conducted at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, and significant amounts of radioactive substances were released. In the present study, we researched inborn abnormalities in general and cardiovascular abnormalities in the Republic of Kazakhstan and administrative regions of the East Kazakhstan region among children using the official statistics data. Five years of data from the official statistics on the incidence of congenital abnormalities in the various regions of Kazakhstan were examined. We used indicators of congenital malformations （birth defects）, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital defects of the heart and circulatory system in children aged 0 to 14 years. These anomalies are classified in InternationalStatistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision （ICD-10） as the Q00-99, Q20-28. The average incidence, level of significance （p）, and 95% confidence interval were calculated for each area of the Republic of Kazakhstan and 19 settlements in the East Kazakhstan region. The results show a relatively high prevalence of congenital anomalies in the whole country and in the East Kazakhstan region.