Abstract:
The frequency of detection of the illness at child welfare clinics and school medical
inspections is low. Out of the children who are in schooling age, only 14.5 per cent were
detected at the school medical inspection. Out of the whole sample, only 8 children were
detected to be having a cardiac illness at child welfare clinics. Total family income, social
class, presence of symptoms and type of the illness were found to be associated with the age
at presentation for surgery (P0.01). The delays within the referral process following the
detection of the illness are also associated with the family income, social class, and standard
of living. The delays in detection of CHDs in children can be minimized by careful
examination of cardio vascular system of newborns and infants. Establishing a mobile
cardiology clinic service might help to reduce the delays in diagnosing CHDs in children
who live in the peripheries of the country. Taking necessary steps to make an even
distribution of cardiologists within the country will also help to minimize such delays
