Unrecognized congenital heart disease among Thai children.

OBJECTIVE

To report on the prevalence of unrecognized congenital heart disease (CHD) among elementary school children (231 schools, 6 cities in Tak province).

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January, 2006 and December 2006, 38,055 children were examined by trained nurses and health officers to ausculate the precordium. Those with abnormal heart sounds were re-evaluated by pediatric cardiologists.

RESULTS

Of the 278 subjects with abnormal heart sounds, 43 had proven heart disease, 40 showed CHD (1.05 per 1,000) and three had rheumatic valvular diseases.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the case rate helped approximate the number of children who are currently undetected but have heart problems or may develop heart problems in the future. Every diseased person will receive treatment.