The high prevalence of heart disease is very high. It may also occur in school-age children. To anticipate and early detect Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in elementary school children (SD) in Malang Regency, the Association of Indonesian Cardiovascular Specialists (PERKI) Malang in collaboration with the Cardiology and Blood Vessel Specialist Doctor Education Study Program (PS PDS) – Faculty of Medicine, University of Brawijaya (FMUB) and RSUD Dr. Saiful Anwar Malang held PERKI Goes To School in several elementary schools in Malang Regency from Thursday to Friday (9 to 10/2/23).
- Valerinna Yogibuana S, Sp.JP as the Chief Executive said that this activity was one of a series commemorating “Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week” which aims to detect early Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in children, especially elementary school students in Malang district, including SDN 4 Panggungrejo, Kepanjen District, SDN 1 Pagelaran, Pagelaran District, SDN 1 Krebet, Bululawang District, and SDN 5 Ngajum, Ngajum District.
Furthermore, PERKI Goes To School was conducted due to the data found that 1 in 100 live births, or around 43,000 live births each year suffer from CHD and 25% of them are Critical CHD and need immediate treatment at an early age of life. So, efforts are needed to detect early the presence of CHD in children so that they can get the right treatment as soon as possible, especially for elementary school age grades 1, 2, and 3.
Elementary schools in Malang Regency were chosen as the participants as the live birth rate in this area is quite high, almost equal to the rate in Indonesia, which is around 20,000 live births. From this number, around 2,000 babies were found to be born with CHD. The area of Malang Regency is quite wide and from the available data about 8% (data from Malang District Health Office, 2022) stunted/failed to thrive, children, where stunting is one of the symptoms of CHD.
In addition, in this activity some screening activities were conducted, whether there are complaints such as blue, recurrent cough and fever, growth and development disorders, physical examination with pulse oximetry and a stethoscope as well as echocardiographic examination (heart ultrasound) to be able to detect structural abnormalities of the heart from birth or CHD.
- Valerina added that national data shows that around 9 out of 1,000 live births, every hour suffer from CHD so in Malang district one can find the same range of numbers. CHD in general can be divided into two, namely non-blue CHD and blue CHD. Blue CHD from its name, is certainly easier to recognize. However, most CHDs are non-blue CHDs, so it is necessary to carry out several checks so that they can be identified, including the checks carried out on PERKI Goes to School this time.
In addition to the examinations above, counseling or brief education about CHD was also given to all students and elementary school teachers mentioned above, especially about “BIRU” the three complaints and signs that are most often found in children with CHD which stands for Blue, Respiratory Tract Infection repeated, failed to thrive. It can be accompanied by symptoms of shortness of breath, swollen feet, and tired easily too.
As a result, about 1071 students were educated by PERKI members and from around 500 elementary school students who were screened by echocardiography, there were 4 students with CHD and 4 students with suspected CHD who needed further examination. Those who suffer from CHD, have been directed to a referral hospital to get fast and appropriate treatment.
Good responses were gained from students, teachers, and parents when screening and counseling/education about “BIRU” was carried out. There are around 1065 schools, and only 4 schools were screened. It is hoped that with this activity more and more people will understand what CHD is, what the symptoms are, what risk factors for CHD, and how to manage it quickly and precisely. These activities are expected to be held routinely every year to early detect those with CHD to be immediately recognized, treated, and recovered. (Dr. Valerinna, Public Relations of FMUB)