Congenital heart disease in Ceylon

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents a significant global health burden.
• Understanding the epidemiological patterns of CHD is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Previous studies on CHD prevalence have primarily focused on Western populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and distribution of various congenital heart disease types in a Sri Lankan population.
• To compare the findings with international data on CHD epidemiology.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 555 consecutive cases of congenital heart disease.
• Data collected from patients in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
• Categorization of cardiac lesions and age-specific analysis.

Main Results:

• Interatrial septal defect was the most frequent cardiac lesion overall.
• Interventricular septal defect and persistent ductus arteriosus were the next most common.
• Interventricular and interatrial septal defects showed equal prevalence in patients under 16, with interventricular defects being most common under 11.
• Persistent truncus arteriosus was unusually common, while coarctation of the aorta and congenital aortic stenosis were rare.

Conclusions:

• The epidemiological profile of congenital heart disease in Sri Lanka differs from that reported in other regions.
• Specific lesions like persistent truncus arteriosus show a higher prevalence, necessitating further investigation.
• Age-specific analysis reveals distinct patterns in septal defects.