The effect of changing attitudes to Down's syndrome in the management of complete atrioventricular septal defects.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the evaluation, decision making, and care of children with a complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD).


METHODS
Retrospective study of 136 consecutive cases from 1970 to 1996.


RESULTS
A total of 115 (85%) children had Down's syndrome. Denial of surgery without obvious medical reasons was more common in the early years, as was parental refusal of offered surgery and institutional care of the children. Improved results in later years encouraged surgical treatment for all these patients, but more liberal attitudes towards patients with Down's syndrome preceded the improved results. The use of echocardiography as a screening method for all newborns with Down's syndrome made it possible to plan for correction within the 1st months of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Changing attitudes in society and widespread use of echocardiography have significantly improved the management of children with a CAVSD and Down's syndrome.
Amark
K
K
Department of Paediatrics (Cardiology), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-416 85 Göteborg, Sweden.
Sunnegårdh
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001290:Attitude; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003657:Decision Making; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D016079:Refusal to Treat