Brain abscess in children with congenital heart diseases

ABSTRACT

45 children with congenital heart diseases, who followed regularly in the pediatric outpatient clinic, examined thoroughly to detect any neurological complications, particularly brain abscess. These children divided into two groups I-cyanotic congenital heart disease group; 24 patients [19 males and 5 females] with mean age of 5.3 years. II-Acyanotic congenital heart disease group; 21 patients [12 males and 9 females] with mean age of 5.6 years. We detected brain abscess in two patients in the cyanotic group with the incidence of 8.3% and no cases in the Acyanotic group. We concluded that in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease we have to suspect brain abscess if these children developed focal neurological deficits or seizures with deterioration in the level of consciousness and they have to be fully examined and investigated