Introduction
Congenital heart disease is a heart defect that occurs during the formation of the heart in uterus. It could be fatal (i.e. causes intrauterine death, or death at anytime afterwards).
It is an important cause of perinatal morbidity/mortality.
Classified as
- Cyanotic
- Acyanotic
Clinical features
Will depend on the type of the defect.
Mild defects go unnoticed
- Stunted growth
- Cyanosis
- Failure to thrive
- Heart murmurs
Differential diagnoses
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Endomyocardial fibrosis
Complications
- Embolic phenomena
- Cardiac failure
Investigations
- Full Blood Count and differentials
- Urea, Electrolytes and Creatinine
- Chest radiograph
- Electrocardiograhy
- Foetal echocardiography.
- Angiography
Treatment objectives
- Relieve symptoms
- Treat the definitive defect(s)
Non-drug treatment
- Low salt diet
Drug treatment
- Treatment of cardiac failure if present
- Digoxin, diuretics and potassium supplements
Supportive measures
- Oxygen
- Counselling
Prevention
- Pre-conception nutrition education
- Antenatal care
- Genetic counselling