Misdiagnosis of aortic atresia due to catheter malposition.

A single film portable aortogram through a highly placed umbilical artery catheter suggested aortic atresia, but subsequent study revealed a normal aorta and a patent ductus arteriosus. This demonstrates the importance of proper catheter placement in single film portable aortography, which is a reliable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of distressed neonates.

A profile of heart disease in children in a developing country.

Experience is presented of paediatric cardiology in a well-equipped and staffed centre during a six-year period in a developing country. Despite the success of the programme in offering first class medical investigation and surgical care to a large number of children, it is estimated that only about 2% of the existing cases in the country were operated upon. The main problems were the large numbers of cases, creating long waiting lists, and the lack of adequately trained paramedical personnel.

Priorities of pediatric cardiology in the developed and developing countries.

Congenital heart disease and pediatric cardiology problems exist all over the world. The approach, however, including diagnosis and management varies considerably depending on manpower available, the clinical facility and the sociophilosophical climate prevailing in different parts of the world. In this article the priorities existing in the developed and developing countries concerning the approach to pediatric cardiology problems are discussed from the point of view of patient load, facilities available, teaching and research in this large field of highly specialized pediatric practice.