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Epidemiological study of congenital heart disease
S L Chadha1, N Singh, D K Shukla
1Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research, B-16, Mehrauli Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016. sbirr@vsnl.com
Insights
A community survey in Delhi found a congenital heart disease prevalence of 4.2/1000 children under 15. Ventricular septal defect was the most common condition, affecting 46% of cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a significant global health concern.
- Accurate prevalence data is crucial for public health planning and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and types of congenital heart disease in children under 15 in Delhi.
- To compare findings with existing national studies.
Main Methods:
- A community-based survey was conducted on a random sample of 11,833 children under 15 years old in Delhi, India.
- Diagnosis of CHD was based on clinical history and/or examination.
- Data on lesion types and demographic factors were collected.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of CHD was 4.2 per 1000 children (4.6/1000 boys, 3.7/1000 girls).
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most frequent lesion (46%), followed by atrial septal defect (ASD) (18%) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (14%).
- Prevalence was higher in younger boys (0-9 years) and adolescent girls (10-14 years).
Conclusions:
- This community-based study provides a more accurate prevalence of CHD in Delhi compared to hospital-based studies.
- VSD remains the most common CHD, consistent with other national and international findings.
- Understanding age and sex-specific prevalence can aid targeted interventions and healthcare strategies.
Abstract:
A community based survey of congenital heart disease was carried out on a random sample of 11,833 children below 15 years in Delhi, India. Congenital heart disease was diagnosed on clinical history and/or clinical examination. Out of the examined sample, 50 were found suffering from congenital heart disease, giving an overall prevalence of 4.2/1000 (4.6/1000 in boys and 3.7/1000 in girls). The prevalence rate was slightly higher than other studies carried out in the country. The reason is obvious. The present study is community based while other studies were hospital or school based. The type of lesions were similar to those reported from other studies. The lesions in order of frequency were ventricular septal defect (46%), atrial septal defect (18%), patent ductus arteriosus (14%), Fallot's tetrology (10%), aortic stenosis (4%), and pulmonary stenosis (4%). Like other studies ventricular septal defect was the commonest lesion. The prevalence rate was higher in the age group 0-4 years and 5-9 years in boys whereas it was higher in adolescent age group (10-14 years) in girls.