Spectrum of associated congenital heart defects in patients with “Non-Cardiac Congenital defects at a tertiary care children hospital in Pakistan”

Objectives: To assess the frequency and pattern of associated congenital heart disease (CHD) among patients with “non-cardiac congenital defects”.

Methods: An observational study was done at Paediatric Cardiology Department, The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Multan, Pakistan, from December 2018 to November 2019. Children from birth to 15 years having non-cardiac congenital defects, referred for cardiac evaluation from surgical unit during the study period were enrolled. Echocardiography was done to confirm diagnosis of CHD by consultant pediatric cardiologist.

Results: Out of a total of 323 cases, 176 (54.5%) were male. Out of 323 patients, 160 (49.5%) belonged to age one month to one year. Vascular malformations were the most frequent primary diagnosis among our cases, seen in 69 (21.4%) children followed by cleft lip and palate 55 (17.2%), cleft palate only 52 (16.1%), Cleft lip only 40 (12.4%) and ARM high variety 33 (10.2%). CHD was found among 42 (13.0%) children while patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and VSD were the commonest finding seen in 14 (33.3%) and 6 (14.3%) children respectively.

Conclusion: Frequency of associated CHD among patients with non-cardiac congenital defects was high (13.0%). Children with cleft lip and/or palate should be given more attention because of the high incidence of CHD in this group. Echocardiography must be advised for the timely identification of any possible type of CHD.