Co-existence of Ventricular Septal Defect and Bronchial Asthma in Two Nigerian Children

F. Bode-Thomas1, IH. Hyacinth2 and CS. Yilgwan11Department of Paediatrics, Jos University Teaching Hospital, PMB 2076, Jos, Nigeria and 2Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. AbstractCongenital heart diseases (CHD) often present with recurrent or chronic breathing difficulties, as do chronic airway diseases such as asthma. Both are relatively common, and may sometimes co-exist. However, there is a paucity of literature from developing countries to that effect. We present two children diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, later also found to have clinical features consistent with co-existing asthma. We highlight the diagnostic challenges we encountered as well as the crucial role of a careful family respiratory history in children with congenital heart disease.