Cross-sectional study on clinical utility of neonatal echocardiography

Abstract

Background and Aim: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a prevalent anomaly associated with various risk factors and the influence of early diagnosis of neonate cardiac abnormalities on postnatal outcomes has been a topic of controversy in the literature. The present study aimed to assess the clinical utility of neonatal echocardiography. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 86 neonates for echocardiography (FE) in the Cardiology Department of Mardan Medical Complex (MMC), Mardan from March 2021 to September 2021. A comprehensive maternal interview gathered extensive information encompassing details such as the ages of parents, consanguinity, and family history of congenital heart disease (CHD). Neonatal echocardiography was conducted to identify any structural or rhythm abnormalities in the neonate heart. Results: The overall mean for paternal and maternal ages were 31.76±5.48 years and 27.52±6.24 years respectively. Of the total 86 cases, the incidence of neonate cardiac abnormalities, congenital heart defects, neonate arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, cardiac mass, and rhythm abnormalities were 47.8% (n=41), 34.9% (n=30), 9.3% (n=8), 3.5% (n=3), 2.3% (n=2), and 2.3% (n=2) respectively. Out of 30 cases of CHD, the prevalence of complex heart lesions, common atrioventricular canal, and conotrunchal anomalies was 60% (n=18), 26.7% (n=8), and 13.3% (n=4) respectively.