One in a hundred babies, or 1.3 million per year around the world, are born with congenital heart defects (CHD), of which over 70% will require medical or surgical treatment within their first year of life.
Stats In India
In low- and middle-income countries, the majority does not receive the treatment they need or receive suboptimal care.
Despite a higher pediatric cardiac surgical disease burden, low-income countries only have 0.07 pediatric cardiac surgeons per million pediatric population, compared to 9.51 per million in high-income countries.
Here, we perform a stakeholder analysis of existing advocacy bodies within the field of pediatric global cardiac surgery and identify gaps and opportunities in advocating for cardiac care for children with CHD.
We propose a framework to optimize civil society messaging in order to more effectively advocate domestically and internationally to hold national and international policy makers accountable for existing gaps and disparities in CHD care around the world.
Nearly one-fourth of India's urban population or about 100 million persons reside in slum or slum-like conditions with very limited access to health and other basic services. The health status of the urban poor population is considerably worse off than the rest of the urban population. Because of lack of access to basic health care facilities. Started in 2022 to facilitate poor children to undergo by Heart Surgery for treatment.
As long as children with rheumatic and congenital heart disease around the world continue to suffer without access to care, we will treat children, train medical professionals and raise the level of pediatric heart care worldwide, from our heart in ISRAEL. From the children and parents with the courage to trust, to the doctors with courage to heal, we are SAVE A CHILD’S HEART.
Heart disease is difficult enough when it strikes adults, but it can be especially tragic in children.
Many different types of heart problems can affect children. They include congenital heart defects, viral infections that affect the heart, and even heart disease acquired later in childhood due to illnesses or genetic syndromes.
The good news is that with advances in medicine and technology, many children with heart disease go on to live active, full lives.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a type of heart disease that children are born with, usually caused by heart defects that are present at birth. In the U.S., an estimated 1 percentTrusted Source of babies born each year have CHD.
CHDs that affect children include:
Congenital heart defects may have long-term effects on a child’s health. They’re usually treated with surgery, catheter procedures, medications, and in severe cases, heart transplants.
Some children will require lifelong monitoring and treatment.
Atherosclerosis is the term used to describe the buildup of fat and cholesterol-filled plaques inside arteries. As the buildup increases, arteries become stiffened and narrowed, which increases the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. It typically takes many years for atherosclerosis to develop. It’s unusual for children or teenagers to suffer from it.
However, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other health issues put children at higher risk. Doctors recommend screening for high cholesterol and high blood pressure in children who have risk factors like family history of heart disease or diabetes and are overweight or obese.
Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes like increased exercise and dietary modifications.
An arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. This can cause the heart to pump less efficiently.
Many different types of arrhythmias may occur in children, including:
Symptoms may include:
Treatments depend on the type of arrhythmia and how it’s affecting the child’s health.
Kawasaki disease is a rare disease that primarily affects children and can cause inflammation in the blood vessels in their hands, feet, mouth, lips, and throat. It also produces a fever and swelling in the lymph nodes. Researchers aren’t sure yet what causes it.
The illness is a major cause of heart conditions in as many as 1 in 4 children. Most are under the age of 5..
Treatment depends on the extent of the disease, but often involves prompt treatment with intravenous gamma globulin or aspirin (Bufferin). Corticosteroids can sometimes reduce future complications. Children who suffer from this disease often require lifelong follow-up appointments to keep an eye on heart health.
A heart murmur is a “whooshing” sound made by blood circulating through the heart’s chambers or valves, or through blood vessels near the heart. Often it’s harmless. Other times it may signal an underlying cardiovascular problem.
Heart murmurs may be caused by CHDs, fever, or anemia. If a doctor hears an abnormal heart murmur in a child, they’ll perform additional tests to be sure the heart is healthy. “Innocent” heart murmurs usually resolve by themselves, but if the heart murmur is caused by a problem with the heart, it may require additional treatment.
This condition occurs when the thin sac or membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed or infected. The amount of fluid between its two layers increases, impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood like it should.
Pericarditis may occur after surgery to repair a CHD, or it may be caused by bacterial infections, chest traumas, or connective tissue disorders like lupus. Treatments depend on the severity of the disease, the child’s age, and their overall health.
When left untreated, the streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat and scarlet fever can also cause rheumatic heart disease.
This disease can seriously and permanently damage the heart valves and the heart muscle (by causing heart muscle inflammation, known as myocarditis). According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, rheumatic fever typically occurs in children ages 5 to 15, but usually the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease don’t show up for 10 to 20 years after the original illness. Rheumatic fever and subsequent rheumatic heart disease are now uncommon in the U.S.
This disease can be prevented by promptly treating strep throat with antibiotics.
Viruses, in addition to causing respiratory illness or the flu, can also affect heart health. Viral infections can cause myocarditis, which may affect the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body.
Viral infections of the heart are rare and may show few symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they’re similar to flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. Treatment involves medications and treatments for the symptoms of myocarditis.