Prosthetic valve replacement in infants and children.

A review of 41 children from 10 months to 16 years of age who had a valve replacement between the years 1966 to 1981 is reported. Sixty-one per cent of the valve deformities were rheumatic and 39% congenital. Twenty-two children had the mitral valve replaced, 14 had an aortic valve and 5 had both aortic and mitral valve replacement. There was a hospital mortality of 9.7% and only one later death during a mean follow up period of 6.75 years. Three children have required a second mitral valve replacement. Thrombo-embolic episodes were encountered in 4 children. The special problems of valve replacement in infants and children are discussed.