Global Health Asia-Pacific September 2020 September 2020 | Page 41
heart disease. Generally, one percent of the newborns
have congenital heart disease. It occurs by chance in
most cases. “We often see that the parents are completely
healthy but the child is born with a heart disease.”
Treatments
The treatment for a congenital heart defect depends on
the type and severity of the defect.
According to Dr Leong, there are three types of medical
treatments to help give the child a new lease of life.
For the mild cases, he said they can offer non-invasive
treatment via medication to help the heart work more
efficiently.
But for the ones with slightly severe conditions, Dr
Leong said they will conduct key-hole surgery to fix the
hole, open up tight blood vessels or plug off any abnormal
blood vessels without the need for major operations.
“Those with a more severe and complex heart condition
will have to go through a more invasive procedure to
fix the defects,” he said.
Dr Leong also highlighted that with the technological
advancement in the medical science, the success rate of
heart surgery has improved tremendously over the years,
while the death rate continues to decline year by year.
“The bright side is that when the children are treated
well they survive up to adulthood and can get a job and
build a family.
“They can even enjoy whatever sports activities they
like, attend university, pursue any occupation they like
and have a normal life,” he added.
He also noted that those patients who undergo surgery
may resume normal activities after six weeks but they
should avoid heavy sports that stress the heart until they
are more firm. “We also put them on a healthy lifestyle
and observe their food to help the heart remain healthy,”
he added.
IJN set up the Paediatric and Congenital Heart Centre in
2012 as a one-stop centre to treat children with all sorts of
heart defects.
The centre, which is equipped with advanced facilities
and infrastructure, provides comprehensive care for
babies, children and adolescents with heart disease as well
as adults with congenital heart defects.
The centre also receives support and contributions –
in terms of equipment children’s books and toys – from
corporations, associations and the general public.
Dr Leong Ming
Chern
Deputy Head
and Consultant
Paediatric
Cardiologist
of Paediatric &
Congenital Heart
Centre (PCHC)
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