Clinical Spectrum of Ventricular Septal Defects in Children at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Imphal, Manipur

Introduction: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease in children and represents a significant proportion of pediatric cardiac anomalies. The clinical presentation varies widely depending on the size and location of the defect, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe complications such as congestive cardiac failure and pulmonary hypertension. Early identification and evaluation are essential for appropriate management and prevention of complications.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the clinical profile of pediatric patients diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD) attending the tertiary care hospital at RIMS, Imphal, with particular emphasis on determining the size and anatomical type of the defect. In addition, the study aimed to assess the association between various demographic and clinical variables and the characteristics of VSD, as well as to identify the relationship between the size of the defect and the occurrence of related complications.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, from May 2023 to April 2025. A total of 47 children aged 0–12 years with clinically suspected VSD were included. Diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography. Demographic data, clinical features, type and size of VSD, complications, and spontaneous closure were recorded and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results: Most children presented between 1 month and 1 year of age (55.3%), and 65.9% developed their first symptoms during infancy. A slight male predominance was observed (53.2%). Perimembranous VSD was the most common type (76.6%). The most frequent clinical features were cough (65.9%), fever (63.8%), tachypnea (61.7%), and tachycardia (61.7%), while pansystolic murmur was present in all cases. Larger VSDs were significantly associated with complications such as congestive cardiac failure, pulmonary hypertension, and malnutrition (p < 0.05). Spontaneous closure occurred predominantly in small VSDs (77.3%).

Conclusion: VSD commonly presents during infancy, with perimembranous defects being the most prevalent type. Larger defects are associated with increased complications, while smaller defects show a higher rate of spontaneous closure. Early diagnosis and timely management are essential for improving clinical outcomes.