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[Infant mortality due to heart disease in Chile 1988]
J Tapia1, R Zilleruelo, H Jaeger
1Centro Cardiovascular, Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna.
Insights
Infant mortality from congenital heart defects in Chile (1988) was 177 per 100,000 liveborn. Diagnostic inaccuracies and delayed specialized care contributed to preventable infant deaths from cardiac conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Public Health
- Medical Informatics
Context:
- Infant mortality analysis in Chile, 1988.
- Review of 5,598 death certificates and 4,419 infant death audits.
- Focus on deaths attributed to heart diseases.
Purpose:
- To analyze infant deaths caused by heart diseases in Chile.
- To identify diagnostic and treatment gaps in congenital heart disease (CHD) management.
- To assess mortality rates and contributing factors.
Summary:
- Mortality rates for congenital cardiac defects were 177 per 100,000 liveborn (LB), with significant regional variation (31.5-293.0/100,000 LB).
- Diagnostic information was nonspecific in 69% of death certificates and 25% of death audits.
- Incorrect diagnoses occurred in 15% of deaths, and 32% of suspected cases did not receive specialized treatment.
- Half of deaths occurred in non-specialized hospitals; 10% of deaths occurred post-surgery.
Impact:
- Highlights critical deficiencies in diagnosing and managing infant congenital heart disease in Chile.
- Underscores the need for improved diagnostic accuracy and timely access to specialized cardiac care.
- Informs public health strategies to reduce preventable infant mortality from cardiac defects.
Abstract:
An analysis of infant's deaths caused by heart diseases in Chile during year 1988, was performed through a critical review of 5,598 death's certificates and 4,419 infant death audits. The mortality rates due to congenital cardiac defects were 177 per 100,000 liveborn (LB) and varied between 31.5 and 293.0 for 100,000 LB along the country's 26 health districts. In 69% of death's certificates and 25% of death audits, diagnoses were nonspecific regarding to the type of cardiac malformation, in 15% of deaths diagnostic orientation was incorrect and in 32% a clinical suspicion of congenital heart disease was raised by the primary physician but patients did not reach specialized treatment. One half of deaths occurred at general regional non specialized hospitals and 28% at hospitals of higher complexity. Of these late, 10% occurred after corrective or palliative surgery and 7% in patients considered to be inoperable.