Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Paediatric heart care in India

R K Kumar1, S Shrivastava

  • 1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India. rkrishnakumar@aims.amrita.edu

Heart (British Cardiac Society)
|July 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

India faces a significant burden of paediatric heart disease, particularly congenital heart disease (CHD). Insufficient specialized care and high costs hinder effective management for affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Paediatric Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Background:

  • Systematic efforts to define the burden of paediatric heart disease in India are limited.
  • Estimates suggest a substantial burden of congenital heart disease (CHD) at birth, with other heart conditions also being significant.
  • The availability of paediatric cardiac care programs and trained professionals is inadequate and unevenly distributed across India.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significant burden of paediatric heart disease in India.
  • To identify the challenges in providing adequate paediatric cardiac care.
  • To emphasize the need for developing the specialty of paediatric cardiology in India.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and estimates on paediatric heart disease prevalence.
  • Analysis of the current infrastructure and human resources for paediatric cardiac care in India.
  • Assessment of socioeconomic factors impacting access to care.

Main Results:

  • A massive burden of congenital heart disease (CHD) is estimated, with substantial numbers of other paediatric heart conditions.
  • Paediatric heart programs and trained specialists are insufficient and concentrated in economically developed regions.
  • The cost of care is prohibitive for most families, requiring significant resources and technology.

Conclusions:

  • There is an urgent need to intensify efforts to develop paediatric cardiology services across India.
  • Key challenges include obtaining accurate disease burden data, establishing quality institutions, training professionals, and developing cost-effective strategies.
  • Improving awareness and access to diagnosis and management of paediatric heart diseases is crucial.

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
Primary Healthcare Services01:30

Primary Healthcare Services

Primary care promotes wellness and prevents disease. This care includes health promotion, education, protection (such as immunizations), early disease screening, and environmental considerations. Settings providing this type of healthcare include physician offices, public health clinics, school nursing, and community health nursing.
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization01:21

Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization

Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Pulse rhythm01:30

Pulse rhythm

Pulse rhythm refers to the pattern of pulsations within specific intervals, offering valuable insights into the regularity or irregularity of the heart's beats as observed through the pattern of pulsation within specific intervals. A regular pulse exhibits a consistent heart rate with uniform waveforms and pulsation force, variations of which can be classified as normal, weak, or bounding.
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac muscle...
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management01:21

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...