Congenital heart diseases: Pattern of clinical presentations in children less than 2-years of age in a pediatric practice in southsouth Nigeria

The increase in the prevalence of congenital heart disease remains a major contributing factor tochildhood morbidity and mortality in Africa. The study describes the clinical features of children withCHD that presented to a general pediatric hospital, to improve on early recognition and management ofthe diseases. The prevalence of CHD from the study was 2 per 100 (30 per 1577 or 1 in 52) i.e. (2/100 or20/1000). A higher incidence in females (53.3%) with M: F = 1:1.14, the majority presented withdifficulty / fast breathing (70%), cough(40%), other presenting symptoms are poor weight gain (26.7%),delayed milestones(13.3%). On examination, 60% had dyspnea, 56.7% had murmur. Packed cell volumefor acyanotic heart disease ranged 28-30%, and 50-61% for cyanotic heart disease. The majority hadcomorbid bronchopneumonia (46.6%), and heart failure (23.3%). Echocardiographic findings revealedVSD in 26.7%, 20.0% had PDA and tetralogy of Fallot in 6.7%, Transposition of Great Arteries in 3.3%,and Dextrocardia in 3.3%. The outcome showed that 30% had no symptoms on follow-up, 23.3% werereferred for surgery, 10% dropped from follow-up and 3.3% died. These findings which are comparable tothe findings of other researchers showed that congenital heart disease has a place in childhood morbidityand mortality, therefore appropriate attention should be directed to improve on early recognition andmanagement of the diseases.