OBJECTIVE: Children with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) needed a corrective
surgery to decrease morbidity and mortality of the disease. This study
conducted to provide the natural history and outcome of children diagnosed
with TOF in our center during the national health insurance era.
METHOD: Retrospective study in the form of cross-sectional approach in
children below 18 years old with Tetralogy of Fallot at Prof.Dr.R.D.Kandou
Hospital from January-December 2018.
RESULTS: Out of a total of 53 children, 36 (68%) were male and 17 (32%)
were female. Most of the patients came from outside of Manado city (57%).
Only 14 (26%) children undergone corrective surgery although 94% of the
patients were covered by the national health insurance. The most common
(85%) reason for delay was difficulty for the transportation fee and living-cost
to reach the surgery available center. Most of the children (55%) born in a
below average income family. Complications found were cerebral abscess in
6 (11%) patients and recurrent cyanotic spells episode in 21 (40%) patients
admitted to the hospital. Four (7%) patients died due to the cerebral abscess
during the study.
CONCLUSION: Number of children with TOF receiving corrective surgery in
the national health insurance era is still low.