Factors that determine the survival of children born with Congenital Heart Defects: the case of Uganda Heart Institute

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating the factors associated with the survival of children born with congenital heart defects, the case of Uganda Heart Institute. The source of data was case reports in the files of patients at Uganda Heart Institute captured in electronic form for children who were reported to have been found with a Congenital Heart Defect from January 2014 to December 2018. Analysis was made using a time-to-event analysis based on the Log-rank Chi-square test and Cox-Proportional Hazard Model. Children with heart defects and from urban areas had their hazard increased by 32.8% as compared to those in rural areas. Children who had Body Mass Index underweight had their hazard increased by a factor of 1.07 as compared to those of Body Mass Index normal weight and early detection increases the time of survival of the children. Timing of diagnosis was significantly associated with survival (p=0.000) implying that the older the child gets without being able to be diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect the higher the risk of death hence a need to have children tested at birth of any possible heart defects. The study concluded that the determinants of survival of children born with Congenital Heart Defects are, the weight of the child, place of residence, Body mass index, the timing of diagnosis. The study recommended testing of children at birth (early screening) for any possible heart defect and giving maximum care to the children in the event of any defect found with the child especially in terms of weight changes of the child.