STUDY OF SAUDI PEDIATRICES ACYANOTIC CONGENITAL CARDIAC MALFORMATIONS USING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Congenital cardiac malformations are a major health concern in newborns and children and a common cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The prevalence varies around the world. Congenital cardiac malformations are the cause of death in 1% of life births. Knowledge of it is the epidemiology is the basis on which researches will help to explore the causes of cardiac defects. Studies on the epidemiology of congenital heart disease in Saudi Arabia are scarce. This a quantitative comparative and descriptive study. aims to assess the prevalence and incidence, symptoms, and gender distribution of Saudi Pediatrics Acyanotic Congenital Cardiac Malformations using Echocardiography. Present study was a cross sectional, prospective retrospective study conducted at King Fahad Cardiac Center- Pediatric Cardiology Unit- King Khalid University Hospital A tertiary, Referral care Hospital in the region. -KSU-Riyadh –KSA, from October 2010- June 2014.The target population of the present study were, all neonates, infants and older children, of either sex, who had clinical suspicion of cardiac problem, enrolled consecutively as they attended the clinic for echocardiography to confirm their diagnosis. Demographical data, presenting symptoms, gender distribution and frequency of defects were evaluated. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (version 21, Chicago, IL). A total of 356 children were included. The data from these patients were evaluated regarding sex distribution, age and relative frequency of different congenital heart defects. There were 149 males (43.2%) and 195 females (56.5%). The age ranged from one month to 15 years. In the present study the most common lesion was Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) which present in 175(49.7%) patients, followed by atrial septal defect (ASD) was present in 162(45.6%) patients, then Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was present in 114(32%) patients. In the present study pulmonary stenosis (PS) was detected in 40(11.2%) patients, while pulmonary regurgitation in 12(3.4%) patients. There were 9(2.5%) cases of Valvar Aortic stenosis (AS) and 11(3.1%) Coarctation of aorta (CoA). Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was present in 129(36.2%).Mitral regurgitation (MR) was present in 49(13.8%) cases. There was female predominance in the heart lesions. However, complex heart defects and mixed cardiac lesions like VSD with Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction and VSD with ASD were more common in females. Most of patients were asymptomatic 63.3 %, while heart murmur detected in 36.4 %, and 0.6% had recurrent chest infections, 12.1% patients had Symptoms that indicate the presence of congestive heart failure (CHF) e.g.(fatigue 9.8%, Tachypnea 7%. In conclusion the incidence of acyanotic congenital cardiac malformations is high among Saudi children Careful evaluation and early diagnosis in high-risk group are highly indicated. As advanced tools of diagnosis have come up. There is a need for development of prenatal screening programs for congenital cardiac malformations in our population so as to provide better medical care and improved outcome in the region. Key Words: Congenital heart disease, Saudi Arabia, Ventricular septal defect, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Atrial septal defect.