Prevalence of Ventricular Septal Defect among Congenital Heart Defects in Children attending Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital, BAGHDAD-IRAQ, 2015

Abstract

Background: Congenital malformation according to Iraqi Ministry of Health annual report 2013 was 0.4 of live births, relatively 502,982 babies suffered from at least one type of congenital malformation. Therefore latitude of congenital heart defect (CHD) reflects dystrophic challenge for Iraq in general and in practically the health system.

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of VSD, its association with certain factors, and assesses the anthropometrical measures among Mother and children with CHD.

Patients & methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 349 under five children with CHD attending Ibn Al-Nafees Teaching Hospital. The nutritional status of under five children was assessed, meanwhile 296 Mother’s Body Mass Index (BMI) was assessed to point out an association over CHD and VSD. Results: The prevalence of VSD was 54.7%, followed by ASD 29.2%, the combination of VSD and ASD was on the top of congenital heart malformation 61.4%. Nutritional status assessment showed that wasted children as almost three doubles over normal distribution which exhibit acuteness with no evidence on disease chronicity.

Conclusion: There were no statistically significant association between VSD and other CHD regarding residency, Mother’s age, child’s age, Father’s and Mother’s education, consanguinity, family history, febrile illness, passive smoking, certain medication received, anemia and DM.

Keywords: Congenital heart defect (CHD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and congenital anomalies.