Autopsy study of series of ten cases of congenital heart disease

Autopsy study has helped modern medicine by establishing the cause of death, manner of death, comparing ante mortem amd postmortem findings and producing vital statistics. The present study was undertaken to know the spectrum of congenital heart disease in autopsy cases which has its importance in clinical care of patients. In this study, 10 cases of congenital heart disease were found in 270 autopsies having equal sex distribution. Maximum cases are of VSD (3 cases). Five cases died within 5 days of birth. Bronchopneumonia was the cause of death in 5 cases. Extra cardiac defect in the form of renal dysplasia was seen in only 1 case of patent ductus arteriosus. Two cases of congenital heart disease reached adult life. Improved health care system will facilitate early diagnosis of congenital heart disease which will lead to early medical and surgical interventions, thus, increasing the life expectancy of the patient.