I. O. Arodiwe, I. A. Nwafor, F. A. Ujunwa, B. O. Edulu, J. M. Chinawa, T. A. Oguonu, N. Ezemba, J. C. Eze
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
Nigeria
West Africa Journal of Medicine
West Africa J Med 2025; 42: 202-207
DOI: Not Available
Abstract
Background and objectives: The pattern of emergency presentations in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) is changing. The aim of our study was to identify the pattern and its associated factors.
Methods: It is a retrospective study of medical records of 252 children with CHD admitted as emergency cases from June 2018 – May 2023. Inclusion criteria were children with presentations from the CHD and those with no direct presentations were excluded. Data collected included age, gender, pre-existing diagnosis, main complaint and patient condition at discharge. The children were divided into two groups; cyanotic and acyanotic groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Fishers exact -test was used for continuous variables and the χ2 test for nominal variables, p < 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.
Results: The participants were 252; 131 (51.8%) were males The age range was 1 month -18 years, with a mean of 9.3 ± 9.1 years. There were more children in acyanotic group, 167 (66.3%). The main presentations in acyanotic group were symptoms of heart failure 71 (43.1%) and lower respiratory tract infection 51 (31.1%) while in cyanotic group the presentations were failure to thrive 29 (34.1 %) and cyanosis 23 (27%). The main causes of heart failure were uncorrected lesions and pulmonary hypertension. There was no significant difference in mortality between both groups. All required cardiac surgery, however only 13 (5%) had the intervention.
Conclusion: Children with CHD presented with varied manifestations which are type and age-specific. Improved knowledge of the common presentations in emergencies will help management.
Category
Class I. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Congenital Cardiovascular Disease
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
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