P-16 Characterizing Congenital Heart Disease in Guyana
Author(s):
E Pillsworth , S Ames , A Sparman , W Scott , K Myers , DL Isaac
Year of Presentation:
2023
Objective: To estimate the birth prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in Guyana based on Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) pediatric presentations and to describe CHD characteristics in children seen.
Methods: All pediatric patients aged 18 and under seen by the GPHC cardiology team were identified using the echocardiography lab online database and paper files. Echocardiographic findings were used to determine the underlying cardiac abnormality. Descriptive analysis was used to characterize CHD abnormalities seen and a retrospective study design was used to estimate the birth prevalence of CHD in Guyana based on Guyana Programme for Advancement of Cardiac Care (GPACC ) GPACC presentations from 2015–2018.
Results: 386 pediatric patients aged 18 or under were included in this study. The birth prevalence of CHD in Guyana was found to be 0·8 per 1,000 live births. Ventricular septal defects were the most common form of CHD(n=107), followed by Atrial Septal Defects (n=107). There were 20.5% of patients who had complex lesions (n=79), with Tetralogy of Fallot being the most common diagnosis within this group. The percentage of f patients with simple obstructive lesions was 10.4%, and 4.1% had isolated valvular insufficiency. Surgical intervention was required in 52·1% (n=201) of children.. After initial presentation, 29·8% of patients were lost to follow-up.
Conclusion: The calculated birth prevalence was considerably lower than the expected birth prevalence reported for South America in the literature suggesting undiagnosed or unreferred CHD. Obstacles to identification, referral, and management of children with CHD in Guyana need to be addressed with the goal of more complete access to timely intervention and improved outcomes.