Parental perception of small ventricular septal defects in childhood

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this study was to determine the understanding and perception of parents following the diagnosis of a minor cardiac abnormality, namely a small ventricular septal defect, in the child. Other aims included discovering the reasons behind these perceptions and whether they affected the parents' management of their child and his/ her cardiac problem. Methods: Fifty-six infants and children from two tertiary centres and the private practices of the participating cardiologists were enrolled over a 5-month period. Questionnaires were prepared and distributed to all their parents. Results: Complete data was obtained from 40 parents. Close to 80% of the parents perceived the..