The Burden of Congenital Heart Disease in Libya

• Main Author: Elhadi H Aburawi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2006-09-01
• Series: Libyan Journal of Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.ljm.org.ly/articles/dec06/news/AOP060902.pdf

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is defined as a gross structural abnormality of the heart or intrathoracic great vessels that is actually or potentially of functional significance. It is the most common congenital problem that account for up to 25% of all congenital malformations that present in the neonatal period [1]. The cause of CHD is multifactorial. Early diagnosis and proper and early medical or surgical intervention for most of the CHD could provide anatomical correction and normal life expectancy. Patients born with severe forms of CHD are at approximately 12 times higher risk of mortality in the first year of life, particularly if they are missed in the neonatal period. Mortality in the first year of life was 18% for all CHD that are diagnosed in infancy [2]. Cardiac surgery with poor setup could have a higher mortality than leaving them alone.