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Outcome of Heart Disease in Syrian Refugee Children: Insights into Crisis

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Abstract

Background

There are many challenges facing Syrian refugee children with heart disease. In this report, we present the spectrum, management, and outcome of heart disease in Syrian refugee children over six-year period, highlighting challenges in management and availability of funding.

Methods

Data on Syrian refugee children with heart disease diagnosed between 2012 and 2017 were collected. Patients were followed until January 2019. Data reported included age, diagnosis, recommended treatment, types of procedures done, mortality, cost, financial sources for procedures, and outcome.

Results

415 Syrian refugee children were diagnosed with heart disease at our institution. Median age was 1·9 years (0·4–6·05) years. Children were either born in Syria and fled to Jordan with their families (224, 54%), or born in Jordan to refugee parents (191, 46%). Follow-up was established for 335 patients (81%). Of 196 patients needing surgery, 130 (72%) underwent Surgery, and of 97 patients needing interventional catheterization, 95 underwent the procedure. Waiting time was 222(± 272) days for surgery and 67(± 75) days for catheterizations. Overall mortality was 17% (56 patients), of which 28 died while waiting for surgery. Cost of surgical and interventional catheterization procedures was $7820 (± $4790) and $2920 (± $2140), respectively. Funding was obtained mainly from non-government organizations, private donors, and United Nations fund.

Conclusion

Despite local and international efforts to manage Syrian refugee children with heart disease, there is significant shortage in providing treatment resulting in delays and mortality. More organized efforts are needed to help with this ongoing crisis.

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any agency, commercial, or non-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics. School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Iyad AL-Ammouri & Laila Tutunji

  2. Section of Pediatric Intensive Care, Department of Pediatrics. School of Medicine, the University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Amira Daher

  3. Department of Pediatrics. School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Heba Qutishat, Aisha Hijazi, Haya AL-Shaikh, Lara AL Qusous, Noura AL-Othman & Sara Salah

  4. Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of paediatrics, Oishei Children’s Hospital, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Omar Alibrahim

Authors
  1. Iyad AL-Ammouri
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  2. Amira Daher
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  3. Laila Tutunji
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  4. Heba Qutishat
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  5. Aisha Hijazi
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  6. Haya AL-Shaikh
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  7. Lara AL Qusous
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  8. Noura AL-Othman
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  9. Sara Salah
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  10. Omar Alibrahim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Iyad AL-Ammouri.

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The authors declare that there is no financial or personal conflict of interest associated with this work.

Ethical Approval

The authors assert that all procedures contributing to this work comply with the global and ethical standards and guidelines. This work was approved by the institutional review board at the Jordan university hospital and the University of Jordan. The corresponding author confirms that he has full access to all the data in the study and has final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication.

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AL-Ammouri, I., Daher, A., Tutunji, L. et al. Outcome of Heart Disease in Syrian Refugee Children: Insights into Crisis. Pediatr Cardiol 41, 877–884 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-020-02325-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-020-02325-y

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