Pattern of congenital heart disease in Southern Yemeni children referred for echocardiography

To study the distribution of age, gender, and the relative frequency of congenital heart defects at the time of the diagnosis in Southern Yemeni children. This retrospective study focused on echocardiographic findings of 393 symptomatic children affected by congenital heart disease. It was conducted in the Echocardiography Department of a referral hospital for Aden city and surrounding governorates, Yemen, from January 2001 to December 2005. Out of 987 referred children, congenital heart defects were detected in 393 [39.8%]; mean age was 3.45 +/- 4 years; of them, 48% males and 52% females. They were 85% non-cyanotic and 15% cyanotic. Patients comprised neonates, 5 [1.3%]; infants under one year, 156 [39.7%], and children more than one year, 232 [59%]. Most cyanotic patients [66%] presented during their first year of life, but only 8.5% were neonates. Most non-cyanotic [64%] presented after their first year mean age 3.9 years, none of them were neonates. The most frequent defects were: ventricular septal defect [26.5%], pulmonary stenosis [17.6%], patent ductus arteriosus [17.3%], and atrial septal defect [15.8%]. Tetralogy of Fallot [8.9%] and transposition of great vessels [3.1%] were the most frequent cyanotic defects. The pattern of congenital heart diseases in Southern Yemen, is characterized by simple, potentially correctable heart defects, under-representation of cyanotic, and absence of critical defects that provokes high mortality during infancy

Pattern of rheumatic heart disease in Southern Yemen

To determine the pattern of rheumatic heart disease in Aden city and surrounding areas by assessing its frequency distribution, severity and complications. We conducted this research in a sole regional echocardiographic department for Southern Yemen governorates at a referral hospital located in Aden city, from January 1999 to December 2003. It was a retrospective study focused on echocardiographic findings in 805 patients affected by rheumatic heart disease. Out of 805 patients, 383 [47.6%] were male and 422 [52.4%] were female [age range, 4-70 years; mean age, 28.6 +/- 14.5]. Heart valve damage was distributed among patients as follow: mitral 459 [57.1%], aorta 70 [8.7%] and both valves 276 [34.2%]; isolated lesions 55.2% and multiple 44.8%; mitral regurgitation 464 [57.6%], mitral stenosis 405 [50.3%], aortic regurgitation 327 [40.6%] and aortic stenosis 54 [6.7%]. All children aged less than 10 years had regurgitation. Stenosis and multiple valve lesions predominated in adolescents and young adults. Complications were detected in 20.8% of cases. Pulmonary hypertension was the most common complication [80.4%]. Lesions with moderate and severe degree were detected in 51% cases. Only 34.8% of patients at severe stage were operated. Rheumatic heart disease takes an aggressive course in Southern Yemen. Children, adolescents and young adults of both gender are the victims. Complications appear early with scanty opportunity to reach advanced age. There is a little chance for palliative treatment