An analysis of Atrioventricular Canal Defect (AVCD) in Children in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, West Africa

Aims: This was to determine the demographic and echocardiographic characteristics of AVCD patients and analyse the types of defect associated with the presence or absence of obvious phenotypic syndromes in children in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Methodology: It is a prospective study of children with AVCD seen over a 5 years period. Data on age, gender, presence or absence of chromosomal/genetic syndrome, age at onset of symptoms and age at presentation to the hospital, parental age, echocardiographic description, and outcome were analysed.

Results: Eighty-one cases of AVCD were analyzed with a male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Age ranged from birth to five years with a Mean Age of 5.5 months and Mode 3 months. There were more non-syndromic patients 46(56.8%) compared to 35(43.2%) patients with features of chromosomal syndrome. Complete AVCD with a common atrioventricular valve was the commonest findings in syndromic and non-syndromic children. Transitional AVCD was seen only in syndromic patients. Non-syndromic patients had more complex additional cardiac anomalies.

Conclusion: That more than 50% of cases of AVCD seen were in non-syndromic children in the Niger Delta is worrisome because this is an oil exploratory region known for constant gas flaring and environmental pollutants.