European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the
commonest causes of infant mortality rate in developing countries. Early detection,
referral and treatment of infants and children with CHD contribute to the reduction
in the infant mortality rate. There are differences in the prevalence and distribution
in different parts of India. A study was conducted in a tertiary care Hospital to
know the prevalence of CHD in this state. Aim of the Study: To study the
prevalence, age and gender distribution and clinical spectrum of congenital heart
disease (CHD) among pediatric patients attending outpatient department (OPD) of
a tertiary care hospital in Kerala. Materials: A prospective cross sectional study
was carried over 36 months on children aged from newborn to 12 years and 179
children with CHD were screened, included and analyzed. Infants/ children aged 0
to 12 years with symptoms of CHD, or suspicious of CHDs were included. After
initial clinical examination and pulse oxymetry diagnoses were confirmed by
detailed 2-D Echocardiography and color Doppler studies. Two dimensional and
color Doppler echocardiography were done with Neonatal (12MHz) and Pediatric
(8MHz) sector transducer. ASD with less than 4.0 mm diameter was not included
as a CHD. If more than one lesion was observed, the defects which caused
hemodynamic imbalance or which required immediate treatment were considered
as the main CHD.