Congenital Heart Diseases at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background: Most of the previous reports on childhood congenital heart diseases (CHD) in Nigeria antedated the era of echocardiography. The advent of widespread use of echocardiography enables a more accurate and complete identification of CHD in children. A study using echocardiography to determine the prevalence and pattern of CHD) in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City at this time, would be informative.

Methods: Patients presenting with CHD to the paediatric health facilities of UBTH between June 1995 and February 2004, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Theywere evaluated with chest radiographs, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms.

Results: Forty nine of the 10,549 (4.6/1000) children who presented to the hospital during the period under review had CHD. There was no significant gender difference. The mean age at presentation was 2.6 + 3.5 years. Most of the patients were aged one year of age and below. Isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 27 (55.1 percent) was the most frequent defect, followed by tetralogy of Fallot in 14 (28.6 percent); the other anomalies were atrial septal defect (ASD) and VSD in four (8.1 percent), patent ductus arteriosus and VSD in two (4.1 percent), and isolated ASD in two others. There were more patients from the low and middle socioeconomic classes than those from the high socioeconomic class (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.66).

Conclusions: The health seeking behaviours of the communities, which entails visiting trado medical practitioners and churches rather than the hospital, may have accounted for the low prevalence of CHD found. The use of echocardiograms in the nurseries and routine screening of patients for CHD is advocated to allow for early detection and intervention. Health education and public enlightenment would also improve the health seeking attitude in the study locale. 

Key words: Congenital heart disease, Children, Benin-City