Prevalence and pattern of congenital heart disease in South Libya

Abstract

Aim: This research was performed to study the prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in south Libya.. Data on the prevalence of CHD were collected and analyzed from the major hospital in South Libya from 2015 to 2016. Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital problem in children. Presentation can vary from asymptomatic, accidental finding to severe cardiac decomposition and death. Early recognition has great implications on prognosis. This study was carried out to identify the specific types of CHD, sex and age distribution and the most common pattern of presentation among hospitalized patient. The study also aims at studying age, gender distribution and frequency of congenital heart disease in children referred to echocardiography in Sebha Medical Center.Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study of most patients (inpatient and outpatient) with clinical finding i.e. cyanosis, systolic murmur, family history of CHD, congenital malformation and recurrent chest infection. From September 2015 to September 2016. Infants of diabetic mothers are referred for echocardiography. Patients from day one of life until 14 years are included in the study.Results: Out of the 1600 total cases, 425 (26.5%) were diagnosed with congenital heart disease. There was a male preponderance. There were 219 males and 206 females with a M:Fratio of 1:0.9 The mean age of all the patients with CHD was days. Of the total cases, 116 (26.8%) had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), 63 (14.8%) had atrial septal defect (ASD), 63 (14.8%) had PR, 56 (13.2%) had ventricular septal defect (VSD), 43 (10.1%) had Mixed CHD, 18 (4.2%) had TR, 15 (3.5%) had IVSH, 13 (3.1%) had Pulmonary stenosis, 11 (2.6%) had tetralogy of fallot (TOF), and 10 (2.4%) had transposition of great arteries (TGA), 8 (1.9%) had aortic stenosis, 4 (0.9%) had AVCD, 1 (0,2%) each was diagnosed to have Truncus arterioses, Coarctation of aorta, Dextrocardia and Aortic regurgitation. Conclusion: The majority of patients with CHD defects had non-cyanotic CHD. TGA is the most common cyanotic lesion and PDA non-cyanotic lesion. In order to avoid complications, early detection of congenital heart disease is of utmost importance for proper treatment.