Heart murmur in the first week of life: Siriraj Hospital

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of cardiovascular diseases in children. In Thailand, there has not been available information about congenital heart disease in neonates. Between January 1st and December 31st, 2000, all full-term babies born at Siriraj Hospital with detected heart murmur within the first week of life were consulted to pediatric cardiologists. Echocardiography was performed for diagnosis in every baby. Total livebirths during that period were 11,245 cases. Heart murmurs were detected in 83 cases. The incidence of heart murmur within the first week of life was 7.38:1,000 livebirths. Innocent murmurs were found in 34 cases and echocardiogram revealed no detectable cardiac anomalies (2 cases), mild tricuspid regurgitation (2 cases), physiologic branch pulmonary stenosis (4 cases), and small size PDA (< 2 mm., 26 cases). Forty-nine cases had CHDs. The incidence of CHD was 4.36:1,000 livebirths. At the time of initial diagnosis, 22 cases (44.8%) were asymptomatic. Among these patients, 1 case had serious cardiac anomaly, i.e., tetralogy of Fallot. There were 27 cases with symptoms, including 15 cases (30.6%) with tachypnea, 8 cases (16.4%) with cyanosis and 4 cases (8.2%) with congestive heart failure. The 3 most common cardiac diseases were ventricular septal defect (9 cases, 18.4%), patent ductus arteriosus greater than 2 mm. (8 cases, 16.3%), and atrial septal defect (8 cases, 16.3%). Those with CHDs were treated with anticongestive medications (22 cases, 44.8%), prostaglandin E1 (5 cases, 10.2%), laser pulmonary vulvulotomy (1 case, 2%), palliative surgery within the first week of life (4 cases, 8.2%) and corrective surgery (4 cases, 8.2%). During follow-up for the period of 1 year, 2 cases died from sepsis. Early diagnosis and proper management are important to reduce morbidity and mortality in the newborn with CHD.