Bicuspid aortic valve among children presenting in two health institutions in Enugu, South‑East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect. However, this is under‑reported. It is not without associated cardiac anomalies. Aim: This study was aimed at documenting the prevalence of BAV in two referral health institutions and to determine the various types and associated cardiac anomalies. Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out in two referral health institutions. One thousand and five echocardiography was carried out in children with suspected cardiac diseases over a nine‑year period. Results: Data was analyzed with IBM statistical software version 20. The prevalence of children with BAV is 1.7%. The most common type of BAV is the presence of left coronary and non‑coronary sinuses. The most common associated lesion among children with BAV is atrial septal defect 7 (41.2%), followed by significant tricuspid regurgitation three (17.7%) and aortic stenosis three (17.7%). The mean cardiac structure diameters were not different when compared with age‑.and gender‑matched controls (Children without BAV). Conclusion: Though BAV is the most common congenital heart disease, its rarity is proven in this study. It is also noteworthy that the cardiac defect is associated with valvar anomalies.