Publication:

A study of prevalence and pattern of congenital heart disease and rheumatic heart disease among school children

Background Early detection of congenital heart disease is of paramount importance to improve the quality of life of children and prevent morbidity and mortality. Early detection among school children is a novel approach which is time saving and cost effective. The objective was to study prevalence and pattern of congenital heart disease and rheumatic heart disease among school children.

Methods An institution based cross sectional study was conducted from July2008 to March 2009 among school children of all schools having 1st Standard to 10th Standard in Latur district. After obtaining necessary permissions and consent, students were screened for congenital heart disease by the health team.

Results The prevalence of congenital and rheumatic heart disease was found to be 4.6 per 10,000 school children. The most common type of congenital heart disease found was VSD and ASD in 25.2% of cases each. They both together constituted more than 50% of the congenital heart disease among school children. The next most common type was PDA in 14.1% of cases followed by TOF in 11.7%. Rheumatic heart disease in the form of MS was seen in 12.3% of cases among the school children. PS constituted in 4.9%, TA in 4.3% followed by AS in 1.2% of cases. Ebstein anomaly and Bicuspid aortic valve was seen in one case each. In the present study, females were found affected more than males. In case of PS and TA, males outnumbered females. Ebstein anomaly and bicuspid aortic valve was present only in females.

Conclusions Prevalence of congenital and rheumatic heart disease was 4.6 per 10,000. VSD and ASD were the most common types of congenital heart disease.