Observed Causes of Severe Respiratory Distress among Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Severe respiratory distress is a clinical feature commonly observed among children with congenital heart disease (CHD), butthe underlying cause is often misdiagnosed. Objectives: This study is aimed at determining the common causes of severe respiratory distress observed among children with CHD. Methods: This study was a retrospective study on children who had severe respiratory distress with underlying CHD seen between June 2017 and June 2018, and were consecutively recruited from two teaching hospitals. Results: Forty‑seven children aged 2 months to 15 years were admitted for severe respiratory distress secondary to CHD at our center between June 2017 and June 2018. The most common CHD was isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD), which made up 36.2%, followed by tetralogy of Fallot with 23.4%. Identifiable causes of respiratory distress in these children were restrictive airway disease (36.2%) as the most common cause, followed by pulmonary edema from congestive cardiac failure (27.7%). Among children with heart failure, 57.1%, 47.4%, 0%, and 50% of infants, children aged 1–5, 6–10, and above 10 years, respectively, were affected. Conclusion: Restrictive airway disease was noted as the most common cause of severe respiratory distress among children with CHD. Keywords: Children, congenital heart disease, restrictive airway disease, severe respiratory distres