Echocardiographic, chest X-ray and electrocardiogram findings in children presenting with heart failure to a Ugandan paediatric ward.
The aim of this study was to describe the aetiology of congestive cardiac failure (CCF) in children with suspected structural abnormalities presenting to a regional hospital in southwestern Uganda. The method used was a prospective descriptive study of successive admissions of children with persistent cardiac signs after routine treatment of CCF. Children with severe anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb]<7 g/dL), pneumonia, sepsis or severe malnutrition were excluded. Chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and echocardiography data were validated by a paediatric cardiologist and radiologist at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, UK. A cohort of 58 patients was identified. The aetiology of heart failure in this cohort (n = 58) was due to congenital heart disease (35%), renal hypertensive disease (26%), rheumatic heart disease (17%), cardiomyopathies (12%), endomyocardial fibrosis (7%) and tamponade (3%). In conclusion, this study confirmed the ongoing prevalence of congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease and endomyocardial fibrosis in this area. The cardiac effect of renal hypertension was a new and significant finding.
Ellis
John
J
Department of Cardiology, c/o Rob Martin's Secretary, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8BJ, UK. jellis@westham1.demon.co.uk
Martin
Rob
R
Wilde
Peter
P
Tometzki
Andy
A
Senkungu
Jude
J
Nansera
Denis
D
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D015995:Prevalence; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology