Abstract

Most heart diseases in young children are congenital. Older children are more likely to have acquired heart diseases such as rheumatic fever, endo-myocardial fibrosis. The heart may also be affected in many systemic disorders i.e. infections, malnutrition, anaemia etc. Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin as result of reduced amount of haemoglobin in the circulating blood. Cyanosis can best be detected under the fingernails or on the mucus membranes of the mouth.