Congenital heart defects are one of the leading causes of death

On August 21, at the first annual conference on fetal medicine with the theme "Congenital heart abnormalities - From prenatal diagnosis to postnatal intervention" organized by Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duy Anh - Director of Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital said that in Vietnam, on average, more than 1.5 million children are born each year, of which about 10,000-12,000 children have congenital heart disease.

The first annual conference on fetal medicine with the theme "Congenital heart abnormalities - From prenatal diagnosis to postnatal intervention" took place on August 21 and 22 with the participation of many leading experts in fetal medicine in the world.

Speaking at the conference, Ms. Tran Thi Nhi Ha, Director of the Hanoi Department of Health, emphasized that Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital is the first public hospital in the country to successfully perform fetal intervention techniques, providing the opportunity to save the lives of fetuses that unfortunately suffer from serious illnesses.

Ms. Tran Thi Nhi Ha, Director of Hanoi Department of Health spoke at the conference.

At the conference, medical experts said that congenital heart disease is the most common dangerous disease in the first month after birth, especially some heart diseases if not resuscitated immediately after birth, the child will no longer be able to survive. However, the disease can be detected during pregnancy. If intervened early, some congenital heart diseases can be treated and help many babies have better health when born.

Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duy Anh, Director of Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, said that congenital heart defects are the most common type worldwide, with one child born with a congenital heart defect every 15 minutes. In Vietnam, on average, more than 1.5 million children are born each year, of which about 10,000-12,000 have congenital heart disease. Congenital heart defects are also one of the leading causes of death in the neonatal period, accounting for nearly 7% of deaths from 20 weeks of gestation to 1 year after birth.

Experts also recommend that the best time for ultrasound screening for congenital heart disease is when the fetus is between 18 and 24 weeks old. During this period, the entire anatomical structure of the heart can be examined. Ultrasound can still be performed after this period, but the larger the fetus, the more difficult it is for the doctor to perform the ultrasound. Some abnormalities can be detected later after this period, including: Arrhythmia, myocarditis/cardiomyopathy, heart failure, heart valve regurgitation or stenosis, heart tumors, etc.

News and photos: AN AN

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