Abstract
Background: A large number of newborns are affected by congenital heart diseases, which accounts for a high proportion of infant mortality worldwide. But there are regional variations in the prevalence and distribution pattern of congenital heart diseases. We evaluated the incidence, risk factors and diagnostic clues for congenital heart disease in newborns in our neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Vydehi institute of medical sciences between January 2013 to December 2016. Congenital heart disease was suspected if clinical and confirmed by 2D echocardiography and doppler and colour flow imaging. Data was collected on a predesigned proforma containing information regarding gender, gestational age and weight at birth, family history, and associated malformations. Results: Out of 1974 babies screened for CHDs, 126 babies had CHDs (4.6%) of which 71(56%) were males. Most of neonates presented with Respiratory distress (52.3%), murmurs (49.5%), abnormal chest X ray (27.7%), followed by cyanosis (18.2%) in Cyanotic CHDs(100% of the cases). Conclusion: The incidence of CHD in newborns at the neonatal intensive care unit was higher than that in all live births.VSD was the most common congenital heart defect detected while Tetralogy of Fallot was commonest among the cyanotic heart defects.
Highlights
Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are defined as a gross structural abnormality of heart or intrathoracic great vessels that are of functional significance occurring as an isolated or associated with other congenital anomalies
Total of 2658 cases were admitted in the NICU during the study period of which 1974 cases were screened for CHDs
Non-cyanotic CHD was observed in 95(75%) patients and cyanotic CHD was in 20.Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) was the most common lesion
Summary
Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are defined as a gross structural abnormality of heart or intrathoracic great vessels that are of functional significance occurring as an isolated or associated with other congenital anomalies. The incidence of congenital heart defects in neonates is varied in different studies and is usually reported to be 3–5/1000 live births. About 25% of CHDs are life threatening and may manifest before the first routine clinical examination Failure to identify these critical lesions immediately after birth leads to delay in referral and increased mortality and morbidity [2]. Recent studies have reported a high sensitivity and specificity for pulse oximetry for early detection of CHD in newborn infants. Risk factors and diagnostic clues for congenital heart disease in newborns in our neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: The incidence of CHD in newborns at the neonatal intensive care unit was higher than that in all live births.VSD was the most common congenital heart defect detected while Tetralogy of Fallot was commonest among the cyanotic heart defects
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