Abstract:
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the singular most common congenital anomalies and account for
a significant fraction of childhood mortality and morbidity. CHD occurs in ~ 1% of livebirths globally and often
requires surgical interventions to improve quality of life and survival of patients. The prevalence and clinical
presentations of CHD within specific populations provide a clearer overview of the burden of CHD and informs
appropriate interventions. However, there is limited data on clinical presentation and occurrence of CHD in African
countries such as Ghana where most cases are either diagnosed late or missed entirely resulting in increased
mortality. In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical presentations, associated comorbidities, and
prescription patterns of diagnosed CHD in a tertiary facility in Ghana.
