title: [Infections as a preoperative problem in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) associated with complete atrioventricular canal septal defect (AVC)].
abstract: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) coexisting with atrioventricular canal septal defect (AVC) is a rare combination of anomalies. Additionally, in cases with concomitant Down syndrome, recurrent infections can be a serious problem in patients (pts.) waiting for cardiosurgery treatment. The purpose of the study was an analysis of types of infections and other factors complicating the preoperative period in those patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 17 pts. with TOF and AVC aged from 1 day to 9 years (mean 9.4 month). In this group there were 11 pts. with Down syndrome. All of them were subjected to physical examinations, blood analysis, ECG, chest X-ray and echocardiographic study. Additionally, in 8 pts. we performed catheterization. The signs of different types of infection were analyzed and results were compared in two groups: with and without Down syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The differences were observed in the frequency of recurrent or chronic infections (21 v/s 4), time of hospitalization before surgery (17 v/s 9 days), necessity (11 v/s 3) and duration of antibiotic therapy (19 v/s 7 days) in the two studied groups. Elevated body temperature of unknown etiology was noted in 8 cases with Down syndrome, compared to 1 patient without trisomy 21. Also, the children with Down syndrome had to wait 11 days longer (19 v/s 8) for discharge after operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infections in children with TOF, AVC and Down syndrome significantly complicate the natural course of this anomaly. Prolonged preoperation time is characteristic of Down syndrome pts. compared to patients without chromosomal abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Kardiologii Dzieciecej, Slaska Akademia Medyczna w Katowicach.
authors.forename: Lesław
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Szydłowski
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marek-Szydłowska
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rudziński
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pajak
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morka
authors.forename: Ludwik
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stołtny
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006343:Heart Septal Defects / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors