Creating a global climate for pediatric cardiac care

Children’s heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenging the burden of disease

“…what will require expert cardiological care at some stage) are generally reported at about 1% of live births or slightly less, (4,71,72,73) with eight common types of lesions making up 85% of all clinically significant CHD (ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot, coarctation of the aorta, aortic stenosis, atrioventricular septal defect.) (72) Most reliable studies indicate that, with only minor variations, the incidence is constant worldwide, across geographic and ethnic backgrounds, and in spite of variations in socio-economic conditions.…”

“…A full support team is required for a cardiac service. (73) We know of a group who could not operate for lack of a perfusionist, so we trained one of the surgeons in perfusion technology, a relatively quick process. Equipment is vital too.…”

Paediatric Cardiology in Sri Lanka: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

“…Based on the available statistics, we should plan for around 2000 cardiac surgical procedures and 1000 catheter based interventions each year to reach that goal. In Australia, where the population is equal to that of Sri Lanka, 1900 cardiac surgical procedures are performed every year to provide a good quality service 20 . Therefore our estimate is a realistic figure.…”

“…In India there are 180,000 born with CHD and they provide surgery to only 6500 a year while in China there are 132,000 children born with CHD and only 60,000 are operated 20 . Compared to these figures we need to increase our numbers by only 1000 cases per year to care for all children with heart disease which is a reachable target.…”

Creating Awareness for Early Identification of Congenital Heart Disease

“…4 Without early recognition, diagnosis and treatment, a majority of infants and children with congenital heart disease die in their first month of life in developing countries. 5 Although, pediatric heart diseases are not explicitly included in the Millennium Development Goals, 6 accomplishing some of the goals will have a direct impact on children with heart disease in developing countries. Improving vaccination and sanitation, increasing the number of skilled health care professionals and awareness for early diagnosis can benefit children with congenital and acquired heart disease.…”