Mohamed Suhail Mohamed Nabi, Rashmi Ranjan Barik, Ankit Sharma, Garima, Chanchal Sharma, Venugopal Reddy I, Aithagoni Rajesh Goud
New College (Affiliated to the University of Madras). Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, Utkal University, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University. Sanskriti Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital. Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College. Medicover Hospital. Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
India
Cureus
Cureus 2026;
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.113213
Abstract
Congenital heart disease is one of the most common congenital anomalies in children and remains a major contributor to neonatal morbidity, infant mortality, repeated hospitalisation, and lifelong cardiovascular care needs. The clinical spectrum ranges from minor septal defects to complex cyanotic and duct-dependent lesions requiring urgent intervention. The objective of this review is to analyse early diagnosis, clinical management, and long-term outcomes of congenital heart diseases in paediatric populations, with attention to screening, multidisciplinary treatment, complications, and follow-up needs. A narrative literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles published from 2015 to 2026. Eligible sources included original studies, reviews, meta-analyses, cohort studies, and guideline-based publications addressing paediatric diagnosis, treatment, survival, neurodevelopment, complications, or quality of life. The review highlights the importance of prenatal ultrasonography, fetal echocardiography, newborn pulse oximetry, echocardiographic confirmation, medical stabilisation, catheter-based procedures, cardiac surgery, intensive care, and structured follow-up. Long-term outcomes have improved, yet residual lesions, arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, growth impairment, neurodevelopmental delay, psychosocial burden, and reintervention remain important concerns. Early detection, timely referral, lesion-specific management, and lifelong multidisciplinary surveillance are essential for improving survival, functional status, and quality of life in affected children.
Category
Class I. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Congenital Cardiovascular Disease
Review Articles Concerning Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes