Abstract:
Background: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) is defined as a structural abnormality of the heart or intra thoracic vessels present at birth that is actually or potentially of functional significance .CHD is a lifelong disease that results from a heart defect or structural anomaly at birth.As CHD impacts the physical, nutritional, and developmental status of children health, it also may change many aspects of patients and their families' life, as social, psychological dimensions, there by impacting their quality of life.
Aim of the study:This study aims to verify a possible effect of CHD on the quality of life of Egyptian and Libyan children and their families.
Subjects and methods: Across sectional study was conductedamong279 children, distributed into 2 groups; 186 Egyptians, and 93Libyans, and were subjected to complete history, socioeconomic evaluation,assessment of Quality of life(QoL) of patient by pediatric cardiac quality of life inventory,and evaluation of quality of life of family by WHOQOL BREF.
Results:Regarding QoL assessment in CHD patients, results showed that QoL of diseased children was affected in both groups.Bad parents' QoLwas higher among Egyptian CHD families than Libyan families, while bad child's QoL and bad siblings' QoL were higher among Libyan CHD children than Egyptian CHD children. Children's bad QoLwas positively correlated to parents and siblings'QoL. Also, cyanotic CHD was associated with bad QoL.
Conclusion:CHD can affect QoL. So, it is recommended to concentrate on social and psychological aspects in CHD patient through health education and group therapy.