Pediatric Cardio Treatment in India for Patients from Nigeria

Early referral to specialist medical care plays an important role when a child is diagnosed with a heart condition in determining the treatment and long-term health outcomes. More and more families from Nigeria choose India for the diagnosis, surgery and interventional procedure for their children as well as postoperative treatment. India offers multiple treatment options for children with congenital and acquired heart conditions with the support of experienced specialists, modern hospitals and the multidisciplinary cardiac teams.

GetWellGo is here to assist families in Nigeria with coordinating their child's treatment for paediatric cardiovascular (CV) issues in India all the way from choosing the right hospital, providing medical advice and guidance and even ensuring that they receive the necessary help and support on the way.

Pediatric Cardio Care: What is it?

Pediatric cardiology treats the heart and blood vessel diseases in children and adolescents. Children's hearts are different from adult hearts and need age appropriate assessment and treatment from specialists with experience in paediatric cardiac surgery and cardiac assessment. Symptoms can occur shortly after birth during childhood screening or once symptoms like breathing problems, not gaining weight, tiredness, bluish skin, more frequent respiratory infections or fewer exercises appear in the child. Treatment for kids' heart issues can range from medication to monitoring to a catheter-based procedure or minimally invasive procedures or open-heart surgery depending on the diagnosis.

Why India is a good option for Pediatric Cardio Treatment?

In India, special cardiac centres have been developed to deal with complex heart diseases of children. Most hospitals have a team of pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, sophisticated diagnostic equipment, a cardiac intensive care unit and a multidisciplinary approach.

For families from Nigeria, India can be a good place to have a look at due to:

• Well-trained pediatric cardiac surgeons and cardiologists
• State-of-the-art cardiac imaging and diagnostic equipment
• ICUs for children with heart disease.
• Interventional catheterization laboratories to perform catheterization procedures.
• Complex congenital heart defects and surgery.
• Multidisciplinary medical teams
• International patient departments
• Different treatment options available at various hospitals' networks
• Travel, accommodation and hospital coordination assistance provided.
• The correct hospital and treatment will be dictated by the diagnosis, age, medical history and clinical state of the child.

Pediatric heart conditions 

• Indian Specialized Pediatric Cardio Centers can diagnose and treat a wide variety of congenital and acquired heart diseases.

Atrial Septal Defect

• An opening is formed between the two upper chambers of the heart and is called an atrial septal defect (ASD). A few smaller defects might close up on their own or simply need to be watched, but larger defects may need to be closed with a catheter or surgery.

Ventricular Septal Defect

• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is a hole in the heart between the bottom chambers. Treatment will depend on defect size and location, and whether the defect has an impact on the child's heart or lung function.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a condition where the blood vessel that did not close after birth remains patent or open. Doctors can suggest observation, medication, catheter closure or surgery, depending on the age and condition of the child.

Tetralogy of Fallot

• Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that is composed of four structural defects. Depending on the severity of the condition, children may need corrective surgery, which can occur in infancy or childhood.

Transposition of the Great Arteries

• Transposition of the great arteries causes switching of the heart's major arteries. If your baby has this disorder, it is a medical emergency and needs to be seen by a specialist who may need to perform corrective surgery.

Coarctation of the Aorta

• It is a narrowing of the aorta, coarctation. Depending on the age, anatomy and severity of the child, treatment may involve catheter-based procedures or surgery.

Complex Congenital Heart Disease

• A few children have more than one structural abnormality of the heart and major blood vessels. They are complex cases that need specific imaging, planning and cardiac expertise in pediatrics.

Pediatric cardio diagnosis 

Before recommending treatment, specialists usually perform a detailed evaluation. Before the child's family comes to India, medical records may be reviewed to get a better picture of the child's previous diagnosis and treatment.

The following may be used for diagnostic investigations:

• Echocardiography
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Imaging of the chest, if clinically indicated.
• Cardiac computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in some situations
• Cardiac catheterization
• Blood tests
• Oxygen saturation assessment
• Other cardiac examinations that may be performed as part of a cardiac evaluation are also specialized:

Specific tests are based on the child's symptoms and suspected condition. Previous medical reports, imaging reports, prescriptions, surgical reports and laboratory data should be brought by the parent.

Types of Pediatric Cardio Treatment

Treatment is individualized and different for each child. Treatment may involve one or more of the following depending on the diagnosis:

Medication

• There are medicines available that can help manage some heart conditions in order to control symptoms, regulate the heart rhythm, deplete fluid and help the heart function.

Cardiac Catheterization

• Selected congenital heart defects can be treated by interventional catheter procedures, rather than by open-heart surgery. This means that some ASDs or PDAs may be closed up using devices, or some narrowing may be treated with balloon procedures.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

• Children who have structural heart defects that cannot be effectively treated by catheter may also need cardiac surgery. For defects, they can be relatively simple repairs, or complex reconstructive procedures.

Hybrid and Minimally Invasive Approaches

• A few selected patients may be good candidates for less invasive or hybrid procedures. The suitability varies according to the anatomy, age, history of procedures performed and health of the child.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Journey in India

The medical record review and initial opinion is usually a first step in treatment for families traveling from Nigeria. After the hospital and specialist have been chosen, GetWellGo can assist with appointments and other practicalities.

A normal travel could be:

• Medical Evaluation: The existing reports are reviewed by the appropriate specialist.
• Treatment Planning: The child's cardiac team decides if additional testing is needed and brainstorms treatment options.
• Hospital Admission: If treatment is recommended, the child is admitted for the planned procedure and/or surgery.
• Pediatric ICU Care: If surgery is necessary, a child might be cared for in a special unit of the hospital for children, such as a pediatric intensive care unit or cardiac intensive care unit.
• Recovery: medical staff observes the child's recovery, and slowly increases the amount of feeds, mobility and normal activity based on the child's condition.
• Follow-Up: Prior to departure from Nigeria, the family is given discharge directions, medications, and suggestions relating to post-hospitalization care.

Cost of Pediatric Cardio Treatment in India

The price of pediatric cardio treatment can differ widely since each child's heart condition and treatment program are unique. Some of the factors that could influence the total cost are:

• Type of heart condition
• Diagnostic investigations
• The type of procedure or surgery that is done.
• Presence of a cardiac defect with complexity
• Surgeon's and specialist's fees
• Hospital charges
• Intensive care requirements
• Duration of hospitalization
• Medications and consumables
• Need for additional procedures
• Follow-up requirements

Families should get an individualised estimate once the child's medical history has been evaluated. If further investigations or procedures are medically necessary, the quoted package could vary from the actual cost of the procedure.

Recovery After Pediatric Cardio Treatment

Depending on whether the child receives medication, catheter intervention or surgery, recovery depends. Children who have a cardiac surgery will require several days of hospital observation and extra days of recovery at home after surgery.

Parents may be advised to monitor:

• Feeding and appetite
• Breathing
• Temperature
• Surgical wound, if applicable
• Activity level
• Medication schedule
• Follow-up appointments

Specific guidance on school attendance, physical activity, nutrition, medications and follow-up testing will be offered to the individual by the treating team.

Conclusion

Specialized pediatric cardiac care is essential for kids who have congenital or acquired heart disease. Specialized medical teams are providing a variety of pediatric cardiac diagnostic, interventional, surgical and post-surgical treatments at India. GetWellGo can assist families from Nigeria from the initial review of their medical records to hospital visits, admission, to follow-up. For any specialized cardiac evaluation or treatment in India for your child, reach out to GetWellGo and discuss the medical records with the pediatric cardiac specialist to find out what options there are.

Pediatric Cardio for Nigerian patients in India GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our Nigerian clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24-hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Help in choosing the best hospitals in India for Pediatric Cardio.
• Expert cardiologist with proven results in success. 
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food

FAQ

What documents should Nigerian patients bring with them?

• Previous medical reports, echocardiography or imaging records, laboratory results, previous surgeries or procedures, prescriptions and discharge summaries should be brought by families.

Is it possible to treat heart defects in children without an operation?

• Certain defects may be observed or treated with medicine or new devices. But some conditions are more complicated and must be surgically corrected. This will vary depending on the child's anatomy and medical condition.

How much time will my child have to spend in India?

• The length of time varies according to diagnosis, procedure, recovery and follow-up needs. Each family should ask for an individual timeline from the hospital that is treating their child.