ABU DHABI // A programme that specialises in heart operations for children has hit the milestone of performing 2,500 procedures since it was launched eight years ago.
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City is home to the country’s only paediatric cardiac programme.
In 2007, the unit performed just 100 operations, while by last year this had increased to 460.
Most of these were on infants less than a year old, with 40 per cent of the patients being younger than 30 days, and almost all of the rest of the patients being less than six months old.
“The number of patients coming to us has increased since the department was started and having performed 2,500 surgeries here is quite an achievement as it means we have helped so many families,” said Dr Laszlo Kiraly, head of paediatric cardiac surgery at SKMC. “We are the only programme people in the country can turn to.”
Before the programme was launched, children had to travel abroad for the operations, said Dr Kiraly.
Nowadays, as well as attracting patients from the Emirates, children from across the Gulf region are now referred to SKMC for treatment.
Dr Kiraly said 35 per cent of the programme’s patients were Emiratis.
Cardiac abnormalities in children are caused by several factors. “Most of the time it is a temporary viral infection that can cause a problem in the development of the heart,” he said. “Another cause is genetic disorders, where consanguinity plays a role.” said Dr Kiraly.
The programme can treat up to 160 different kinds of heart problems, such as holes in the heart, missing segments or undeveloped valves.
Dr Kiraly said 66 per cent of patients born with congenital heart disease needed surgery before they reached six months.
“One baby out of 180 has this kind of problem and parents can come here. Once you get the problem sorted out the baby can develop normally,” Dr Kiraly said.
Operations at the unit can take up to 18 hours, with a team of eight to 10 specialists, including two surgeons and two anaesthetists.
The survival rate is above 97 per cent, Dr Kiraly said.
Dr Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, chairman of the Cardiac Sciences Institute at SKMC, said reaching 2,500 operations was an important milestone.
“Our programme is unique because it covers heart care from the prenatal period to adulthood under one department. This set-up is unique and allows for a true team approach to the management of our patients,” said the doctor, who has worked at SKMC for six years.
Dr Alsheikh-Ali said awareness needed to be raised about cardiac health problems in children in the UAE.
“Screening programmes for congenital heart disease are being developed and we also need to think of non-congenital heart conditions that arise in adulthood but have seeds implanted in childhood through unhealthy lifestyles, including dietary habits with increased fat intake and lack of exercise,” said Dr Alsheikh-Ali.
“We also need to be mindful of the effects of smoking on children, including second-hand smoking and children’s exposure to peer pressure favouring smoking.”
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