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Structural heart diseases in Nigerian children.
M O Asani1, M U Sani, K M Karaye
1Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Summary
Structural heart diseases are common in Nigerian children, with congenital conditions like VSD being most frequent. Acquired rheumatic valvular diseases also pose a significant burden, necessitating improved surgical care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Public Health
Background:
- Structural heart diseases are a significant global pediatric health concern.
- Prevalence patterns of pediatric heart conditions vary geographically.
- Understanding local patterns is crucial for effective health planning and service delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the pattern of structural heart diseases in children at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
- To analyze echocardiography data for pediatric cardiac conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of echocardiographic reports from August 2002 to September 2004.
- Inclusion of 108 pediatric patients aged two weeks to 18 years.
- Data analysis using SPSS version 10.0.
Main Results:
- 88 out of 108 children had abnormal echocardiograms.
- Congenital heart diseases (62.5%) were more prevalent than acquired (37.5%).
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most common congenital condition; rheumatic valvular disease was the most common acquired condition.
Conclusions:
- Increased availability of echocardiography and pediatric cardiologists will likely lead to more diagnoses.
- There is an urgent need for a well-equipped, subsidized cardiothoracic surgical center in Nigeria.
- Addressing the burden of pediatric structural heart disease requires enhanced surgical infrastructure and support.