Congenital heart disease among school children in Alexandria, Egypt: an overview on prevalence and relative frequencies

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and relative frequencies of congenital heart diseases diagnosed by echocardiography among school children in Alexandria, Egypt. The study was conducted during a 1-year period (1 May 1995-1 May 1996) at the Students' Health Insurance Hospital, which is a referral center for all health insurance units, providing an echocardiography service. The prevalence of congenital heart diseases (CHD) among school children accounted for 1.01/1,000. There was a male predominance in cases of pulmonary stenosis and single ventricle, while in cases of patent ductus arteriosus, mitral valve prolapse, and partial atrioventricular canal there was a female predominance. The commonest cardiac defects were ventricular septal defects, pulmonary stenosis, and atrial septal defects. Pulmonary stenosis ranked the second commonest defect and is a peculiar finding in our Egyptian population. The mere presence of these cardiac defects in school children is an indicator of the poor quality of care provided to this growing childhood population.

Screening of School Children for Operable Congenital Heart Diseases in Rural Area

“…12 in south Africa the prevalence of CHD among school children accounted for only 1.01 per 1000 child. [10][11][12][13][14][15] In consistent with the present finding Thakir et al 7 also observed a higher prevalence of CHD among female school going children in the age group of 5-15 years in Shimla hills, India. In contrast there was a male predominance of CHD among school going children from Alexandria, Egypt.…”

“…In contrast there was a male predominance of CHD among school going children from Alexandria, Egypt. 10,11 The observed high prevalence of operable CHD among school going girls may indicate a negligence of raring up of our female babies than that of their male counterparts. Actually in most of our families boys get more care or importance than that of girls in terms of their feeding, academic education, health cheek up irrespective of the social status of family in the society.…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12] Although going by figure quoted in western countries it has been generally accepted that approximately 10 per 1000 babies are born with CHD incase of full term births. 1 Other reported a relatively lower prevalence form different countires.…”

“…1 Other reported a relatively lower prevalence form different countires. [7][8][9][10][11][12] From India it has been reported a prevalence of CHD among their school going children of only 2.25 per 1000 child. 7 But in one community based study the investigators reported higher prevalence rate of CHD among Delhi children of 4.2 per 1000 of children.…”

An understanding the genetic basis of congenital heart disease

“…2 Meberg et al, [61] Karachi 1987-1992 4 Hassan et al, [62] Central Australia 1993-2000 17. 5 Bolisetty et al, 63 South Australia 1993-2000 12 Annual report 2000 [64] Oman 1994-1996 7.1 Subramanyan et al, [65] Bosnia 1994-1999 6.12 Begic et al, [66] Egypt 1995-1996 1.01 Bassili et al, [67] Shimla 1995 2. 25 Thakur et al, [8] Saudi Arabia 1997-2000 2.4 Alabdulgader [68] New Delhi 2001 4.…”