Clinical Spectrum of congenital heart defects (CHD) detected at the child health Clinic in a Tertiary Health Facility in Ghana: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the singular most common congenital anomalies and account for a significant fraction of childhood mortality and morbidity. CHD occurs in ~ 1% of livebirths globally and often requires surgical interventions to improve quality of life and survival of patients. The prevalence and clinical presentations of CHD within specific populations provide a clearer overview of the burden of CHD and informs appropriate interventions. However, there is limited data on clinical presentation and occurrence of CHD in African countries such as Ghana where most cases are either diagnosed late or missed entirely resulting in increased mortality. In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical presentations, associated comorbidities, and prescription patterns of diagnosed CHD in a tertiary facility in Ghana.