Evolutionary steps of pediatric echocardiography in India

Abstract

In India, an estimated 26 millions of children had born every year and as per census 2011, the share of children (0–6 years) accounts
13.12% of the total population in the country. Approximately 1.8–2.0 lakh infants born every year with congenital heart disease, out
of them 78,000 infants die due to inadequate heart care facilities and insufficient infrastructure which can bear only 10% of the
patient load at its best. Congenital heart defects are seen in 8-10 children out of 1000 live-born children. However, the hopeful part
of progressing pediatric echocardiography is that almost all of them can be treated if diagnosed early and majority of them would
have a normal life in future. Hence, the higher life expectancy after surgical procedures are luring the Indian pediatric cardiologist
for more efficient treatment. In past decade, India has taken a big leap which is a good indication of progress in pediatric cardiology.