Spectrum of congenital heart disease in Nepal from 2002–2022: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart diseases are recognized as public health concerns worldwide and Nepal is no exception. This study aims to study congenital heart disease in Nepal on grounds of burden, commonest type, common presentations, and associated noncardiac anomalies so that its spectrum can be known for prompt diagnosis and adoption of screening protocols. METHODS: Relevant articles were searched in electronic databases using appropriate search terms and Boolean operators. Data were extracted in Excel and analyzed in Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis Software. The proportion was used as an effect measure and a fixed or random‐effect model was used as per the heterogeneity. Forest plots were used to give visual feedback. RESULTS: A total of nine studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis after a rigorous screening of imported studies. The prevalence of congenital heart disease was 0.7% (Proportion: 0.007; CI: 0.001–0.035; I(2): 99.263%). The burden of atrial septal defect was 32.1%, ventricular septal defect was 31.1%, patent ductus arteriosus was 12.6% and Tetralogy of Fallot was 7.3%. The most common presentations were respiratory tract infection (54.7%), developmental delay (49.8%), difficulty in breathing (44.5%), failure to thrive (17.1%), and cyanosis (15.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of congenital heart disease in Nepal was 0.7% and the frequency of male patients was higher. The atrial septal defect was the commonest on the whole, while, Tetralogy of Fallot was the commonest among cyanotic variety. Respiratory tract infection was frequently seen at presentation and the most commonly associated noncardiac anomaly was the cleft palate.