[Short-term prognosis of heart diseases managed at the pediatric intensive care unit of the Brazzaville University Hospital].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the main heart diseases of children admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 (January to December) in the pediatric intensive care of the Brazzaville University Hospital.


RESULTS
The study included 42 children, 27 of them girls (64.3%). Their mean age was 2.6 ± 3.4 years, and the mean age of their mothers 26.6 ± 5.1 years. The reasons for admission were dyspnea (n = 34, 81%), fever (n = 21, 50%), edema syndrome (n = 8, 19%), squatting (n = 5, 12%), impaired consciousness (n = 4), seizures (n = 3, 7.1%), shock (n = 2, 4.8%), and malaise (n = 1, 2%). Associated signs included coughing (n = 30, 71.4%), impaired general condition (n = 14, 33.3%), cyanosis (n = 9, 21.4%), and chest deformity (n = 15, 35.7%). Heart failure was found in 28 cases (66.7%), as was congenital heart disease. The main heart diseases were ventricular septal defects (n = 13), cardiomyopathy (n = 9), and the tetralogy of Fallot (n = 6). The most common factors of decompensation were anemia (n = 12, 28.6%) and bronchopneumonia (n = 11, 26.2%). The immediate mortality rate was 23.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
The heart diseases in children admitted in critical situations usually required surgical care, not available in our country. Rapid treatment is possible by strengthening South-South cooperation with neighboring countries where cardiac surgery is available.
Service de cardiologie, CHU de Brazaville, BP 13400, Brazzaville, Congo.
B
B
Ellenga Mbolla
Service de soins intensifs pédiatriques, département de médecine, CHU de Brazzaville, faculté des sciences de la santé, Brazzaville, Congo.
A
A
Oko
Service de pédiatrie grands enfants, département de médecine, Brazzaville, Congo.
A R
AR
Okoko
Service de soins intensifs pédiatriques, département de médecine, CHU de Brazzaville, faculté des sciences de la santé, Brazzaville, Congo.
E
E
Moyen
Service de néonatologie, CHU de Brazzaville, Congo.
G
G
Ekouya Bowassa
Départment de médecine, faculté des sciences de la santé, Université Marie, Brazzaville, Congo.
T R
TR
Gombet
Départment de médecine, faculté des sciences de la santé, Université Marie, Brazzaville, Congo.
J R
JR
Mabiala Babela
Service de soins intensifs pédiatriques, département de médecine, CHU de Brazzaville, faculté des sciences de la santé, Brazzaville, Congo, Départment de médecine, faculté des sciences de la santé, Université Marie, Brazzaville, Congo.
G M
GM
Moyen
Service de cardiologie, CHU de Brazaville, BP 13400, Brazzaville, Congo.
S G
SG
Kimbally Kaky
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003223:Congo; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
Congo; children; congenital heart disease; intensive care