Left ventricular hypertrophy and LV geometry in chronic dialysis children and adolescents.

Data from USRDS and Thai Renal Replacement Therapy revealed cardiovascular disease is a common cause of death in ESRD patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is one of the risk factors however there are few studies about this in chronic dialysis children. In the present study, the authors retrospectively reviewed the prevalence of LVH and variable parameters correlated with LVMI in chronic dialysis patients in Phramongkutklao Hospital. Eleven hemodialysis and three peritoneal dialysis patients, aged 12.1 +/- 5 years, were included. LVH was diagnosed by calculating LVMI from echocardiographic study. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed to compare parameters between LVH and without LVH groups. Prevalence of LVH was 57%. In the LVH group, 7 patients had eccentric LVH and 1 patient had concentric LVH. LVH patients had significantly high systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), index of SBP and index of DBP. Blood pressure also had positive correlation and patients age had negative correlation with LVMI. In conclusion, high blood pressure is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Serial echocardiography and long term follow up should be done in this patient group to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Sensitivity of clinical assessment in term neonates by general pediatric residents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of physical examination in detecting congenital heart diseases by pediatric residents and identify risk factors of congenital heart diseases. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Five hundred term infants (GA > or = 37wks) who were born at Phramongkutklao Hospital from July 1st, 1999 to June 3th, 2000 were examined by pediatric residents and pediatric cardiologists within the first week of life. The echocardiography was performed in all 500 infants for definite diagnosis. The accuracy of physical examination was determined by comparing with echocardiographic finding and presented as sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Congenital heart diseases were found in 18 of 500 term infants (3.6%). The physical examination by pediatric residents and pediatric cardiologists showeds a sensitivity of 39% and 94% and the specificity of 98% and 97%, respectively. After excluding spontaneously closed PDA within 2 weeks, the first and second most common congenital heart diseases in infants were Ventricular septum defect (VSD) (44%) and Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (33%). The positive other cardiovascular signs, such as cyanosis or abnormal pulses with heart murmur were significantly associated to diagnosis of congenital heart diseases. CONCLUSION: Although echocardiography is the major tool to determine the definite diagnosis, most congenital heart diseases can be well detected during physical examination by skilled physicians. As a result, the value of physical examination of the cardiovascular system should be emphasized in training general pediatricians concerning lower costs and early detection of congenital heart diseases.