What does this research mean for the field?

In the Sub-Himalayan region, congenital heart disease has a prevalence of 19.2 per 1000 in early childhood, predominantly consisting of acyanotic lesions such as ventricular septal defects, and contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

April 16, 2026Open Access

Spectrum of Congenital Heart Diseases in Early Childhood (1-60 months): Insights from a Sub-Himalayan Tertiary Care Centre

SVShikha VermaNorth Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences MYMeenu YadavDr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College SSSeema SharmaDr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the spectrum and outcomes of congenital heart disease in children aged 1 month to 5 years.
Prospective observational study conducted over one year
Enrolled children aged 1-59 months with echocardiographically confirmed CHD
Recorded clinical details and outcomes during follow-up
Seventy children diagnosed with CHD, prevalence of 19.2 per 1000
67% of cases were infants, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.9:1
81% of lesions were acyanotic, with ventricular septal defect being the most common
Congestive heart failure occurred in 35 children with four recorded deaths

Abstract

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of birth defect-related mortality, with delayed diagnosis common in resource-limited regions.In India, gaps in CHD detection and care persist, especially in remote areas like Himachal Pradesh.This study evaluates the spectrum and outcomes of CHD in early childhood at a Sub-Himalayan tertiary care centre.Objective: To study the spectrum and outcomes of congenital heart disease (CHD) in children aged 1 month to 5 years in a tertiary hospital of sub-Himalayan region.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over a period of one year, from December 2023 to December 2024.Children aged 1-59 months with echocardiographically confirmed CHD were enrolled.Clinical details and outcomes were recorded during follow-up.Results: Seventy children (19.2per 1000) were diagnosed with CHD.Among them, 67% were infants, with a female preponderance (male: female ratio 0.9:1).Acyanotic lesions comprised 81%, most commonly ventricular septal defect (34%), atrial septal defect (28%), and patent ductus arteriosus (15%).Tetralogy of Fallot (14%) was the main cyanotic lesion.Congestive heart failure occurred in 35 children.Ten underwent surgery, and four deaths were recorded. Conclusion:CHD is a significant burden in early childhood, with prevalence of 19.2/1000 recorded in this cohort.It contributed to substantial morbidity (50%) and mortality (5.7%).

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