Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a lifelong problem of the heart’s structure and function present at birth. The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of congenital heart diseases (CHD) among children of both sexes at Al-Sadaqa Teaching Hospital in Aden city. 

Methods: This is a retrospective, hospital-based study from January 2017 to December 2019. Data were collected from the medical records at the Statistical Department of Al-Sadaqa Teaching Hospital. Children with CHD were identified and diagnosed, via history taking, clinical examination, electrocardiography and echocardiography.

Results: The total number of patients who were holding the diagnosis of heart diseases were 148, out of whom 10 children were excluded because of having acquired heart diseases. The total number of patients who were diagnosed with CHD comprised 138 with females predominating males (58% vs. 42% respectively). Their mean age was 18.8±3.0 months and the median age was 8 months. Eighty-seven percent of patients were diagnosed with acyanotic CHD. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) constituted 35.5%, atrial septal defect (ASD) 14.5%, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) 12.3% and atriovenous canal 5.8% of the children with CHD. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) was the commonest cyanotic CHD diagnosed (7.2%). Children with isolated CHD constituted 82.6% while 17.4% had multiple lesions. Male preponderance was documented in VSD and PDA while females predominated in ASD. A total of 66.7% children were diagnosed with CHD at one year of age.

Conclusion: The commonest acyanotic CHD were VSD, followed by ASD. Isolated congenital heart defects constituted 82.6%. A total 66.7% CHD children were diagnosed during infancy. VSD and PDA encountered more among males while ASD predominated among females. 

Keywords:  Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), Acyanotic Heart Defects, Ventricular Septal Defect, Atrial Septal Defect, Tetralogy of Fallot.

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