Unrecognized congenital heart disease among Thai children.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the prevalence of unrecognized congenital heart disease (CHD) among elementary school children (231 schools, 6 cities in Tak province).


METHODS
Between January, 2006 and December 2006, 38,055 children were examined by trained nurses and health officers to ausculate the precordium. Those with abnormal heart sounds were re-evaluated by pediatric cardiologists.


RESULTS
Of the 278 subjects with abnormal heart sounds, 43 had proven heart disease, 40 showed CHD (1.05 per 1,000) and three had rheumatic valvular diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the case rate helped approximate the number of children who are currently undetected but have heart problems or may develop heart problems in the future. Every diseased person will receive treatment.
Sayasathid
Jarun
J
Cardiac Center, Naresuan University Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Tantiwongkosri
Kriangkrai
K
Somboonna
Naraporn
N
D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology