Diagnosis of Congenital Cardiac Defects in Infancy

In an attempt to evaluate the diagnostic features associated with congenital cardiac disease in infancy, the data on all infants with congenital cardiac defects who have come to necropsy in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since 1922 have been reviewed. We have selected the cases, 32 in all, the records of which present sufficient information to permit correlation of the clinical, roentgenologic and pathologic aspects of the cardiac lesions. Instances of delayed closure of the ductus arteriosus within the first weeks of life, of "probe patency" of the foramen ovale and of idiopathic hypertrophy have not been included. The 32 children were admitted to the ward services of a number of pediatricians. Some of them, moribund on admission, were examined only by members of the resident staff. When variations were noted in the descriptions of physical signs we have chosen the signs recorded by the most experienced observers. The cardiac