[Short-term prognosis of heart diseases managed at the pediatric intensive care unit of the Brazzaville University Hospital].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the main heart diseases of children admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 (January to December) in the pediatric intensive care of the Brazzaville University Hospital.

RESULTS

The study included 42 children, 27 of them girls (64.3%). Their mean age was 2.6 ± 3.4 years, and the mean age of their mothers 26.6 ± 5.1 years. The reasons for admission were dyspnea (n = 34, 81%), fever (n = 21, 50%), edema syndrome (n = 8, 19%), squatting (n = 5, 12%), impaired consciousness (n = 4), seizures (n = 3, 7.1%), shock (n = 2, 4.8%), and malaise (n = 1, 2%). Associated signs included coughing (n = 30, 71.4%), impaired general condition (n = 14, 33.3%), cyanosis (n = 9, 21.4%), and chest deformity (n = 15, 35.7%). Heart failure was found in 28 cases (66.7%), as was congenital heart disease. The main heart diseases were ventricular septal defects (n = 13), cardiomyopathy (n = 9), and the tetralogy of Fallot (n = 6). The most common factors of decompensation were anemia (n = 12, 28.6%) and bronchopneumonia (n = 11, 26.2%). The immediate mortality rate was 23.8%.

CONCLUSION

The heart diseases in children admitted in critical situations usually required surgical care, not available in our country. Rapid treatment is possible by strengthening South-South cooperation with neighboring countries where cardiac surgery is available.