Ventricular septal defect and it-s effects on growth pattern in children below five years

ABSTRACT

To study the morphological classification of ventricular septal defect [VSD] and its effects on weight, height and occipitofrontal circumference of children below five years. A case control study of fifty patients with isolated ventricular septal defect [VSD] from Babylon maternity and children teaching hospital [outpatient and inpatient], was done in regard to morphological classification of ventricular septal defect and its effect on growth parameters, for the period from January to July, 2008. Another 50 healthy children of the same ages attending primary health center were chosen as a control group. The patients were ranging between 1 day to 5 years; most of them [60%] were below 1 year of age with male to female ratio of 1.61. About [76%] were presented in the first 6 months of life. The most common type of VSD was perimembranous type [72%], about half [52%] of VSD was small size. Weight and occipitofrontal circumference [OFC] were sensitive parameters for studying the effect of VSD on growth and it was greatly affected by the size of VSD with no significant effect of the gender on growth of the patients with VSD. Weight and OFC were affected significantly by the presence of VSD, with no effect for gender. Growth is affected by moderate and large sized VSD, so it should be managed early and carefully