Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease in Children with Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infection

Author(s): Mohammad Ata Ullah, Sumaiya Mamun, Heemel Saha, AK Al-Miraj

Background: Congenital heart disease is when a child is born with a problem with the structure of the heart. Some pediatric congenital heart diseases are simple and do not require treatment. Others are more complicated. A child may require multiple surgeries over several years. Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects the respiratory system and leads to respiratory problems. Recurrent respiratory infection is one such morbidity.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of congenital heart disease in children with recurrent respiratory tract infection.

Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from June to December 2023. A total of 50 patients with recurrent LRTI were studied (N=50), which included 30 males and 20 females. All the patients were subjected to clinical examination and were made to undergo chest X-ray, electrocardiography, and 2D echocardiography with color Doppler to detect CHD.

Results: Total 50 patients with recurrent LRTI were studied (N=50), which included 30 males and 20 females. All the patients were subjected to clinical examination and were made to undergo chest X-ray, electrocardiography, and 2D echocardiography with color Doppler to detect CHD.

Conclusions: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a problem that is present at birth and affects the structure and function of the heart. Common examples include holes in the inner wall of the heart and narrowed or leaking heart valves. The results reveal that CHD is a major cause for recurrent LRTI. Considering this, it would be prudent to screen all children presenting with recurrent LRTI for CHD.