Related Experiment Videos
Profile of cardiac disease in an out-patient cardiac clinic
Insights
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common cardiac condition in children in Addis Ababa, more prevalent than congenital heart disease (CHD). Improved school surveillance and secondary prophylaxis are recommended to address this pediatric health issue.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiac disease patterns vary globally.
- Understanding local pediatric cardiac disease profiles is crucial for targeted healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile heart disease in children at a hospital in Addis Ababa.
- To identify the prevalence of different types of pediatric heart conditions.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study of 468 pediatric patients.
- Data collected between August 1989 and February 1992.
- Categorization of heart diseases into congenital, rheumatic, and acquired non-rheumatic.
Main Results:
- Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) was most prevalent (59.4%), followed by congenital heart disease (CHD) (35.9%).
- In RHD cases, the mitral valve was most frequently affected.
- Ventricular septal defect was the most common CHD, followed by patent ductus arteriosus.
Conclusions:
- Rheumatic heart disease is the predominant heart condition in children in Addis Ababa.
- Recommendations include enhancing school surveillance and organized secondary prophylaxis for RHD.
Abstract:
The pattern of cardiac disease differs from one region of the world to that of another. This paper aims at providing the profile of heart disease as seen in a Children's Hospital. A total of 468 patients were seen in a follow-up conducted between August 1989 and February 29, 1992. Among these 168 (35.9%) had congenital heart disease (CHD); 278 (59.4%) had rheumatic heart disease (RHD); while 14 (3%) had acquired heart disease of non-rheumatic origin. In patients having RHD, the mitral valve was commonly affected. Ventricular septal defect was the commonest CHD seen followed by patent ductus arteriosus. The results show that RHD is the commonest heart disease seen in a Children's Hospital in Addis Ababa. It is recommended that the issues of school surveillance, better organized secondary prophylaxis need to be addressed.