The Outcome of Cardiac Cases Identified Peri-Natally in a District General Hospital in United Kingdom

Abstract

Aims: To identify the annual incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in our population and to assess the pick up rate during antenatal ultrasound. Methods:Retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed with CHD between January 2007 -April 2010.Results: Forty-four cases of CHD were diagnosed during the study period. Of these, 19 cases were diagnosed antenatally and 25 cases postnatally. Of the19 cases: 7 four-chamber anomalies  7 out-flow tract anomalies and  5 cases of cardiomegaly 5 cases were terminated [associated with syndromes], 2 resulted in miscarriages, 5 suffered neonatal deaths and 7 survived (survival rate-37%). Of the 25 cases diagnosed postnatally:Twenty babies were term deliveries and 5 were pre-term. 16-cases (64%) were diagnosed within the 1 st month of delivery. Eight (32%) of the 25 cases were cyanotic CHD.Following are the specific diagnosis of postnatal CHD. Transposition of great arteries-4  Aortic stenosis-1  Pulmonary stenosis-5  Septal defects-7  Ebstein anomaly-1  Tetralogy of Fallot-3  Coarctation of aorta-2  Dextrocardia-1  Coronary artery fistula-1 16-cases were treated with surgical corrections and 9-cases treated conservatively. 24-neonates survived (survival rate-96%). Conclusion:Annual incidence rate of CHD in our population was 1.4% with 43% of cases identified during antenatal scans. Following the audit, following measures have been introduced.  Merging antenatal cardiac clinics and paediatric cardiac clinics  "Tiny Tickers"-The Regional Foetal Cardiac Training Group for the Ultrasonographers are introducing a training program.