• J M Chinawa, A T Chinawa, F A Ujunwa, C L Odimegwu, J T Onyia, K Chukwu, B F Chukwu, A E Aronu, and A Ikefuna.
• Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku/Ozalla and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku/Ozalla Enugu State, Nigeria.
• Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 Jan 1; 27 (1): 109116109-116.

BackgroundStandardizing cardiac valve structures and function to body surface area will help the clinician and surgeons in decision-making.AimTo evaluate the z-scores of the sizes of cardiac structures and function and to present them in Gaussian curves and reference values.Materials And MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that involved 300 apparently healthy children. This study was performed among healthy children from birth to 18 years. Children with a normal echocardiogram, those with no chronic illness, no congenital heart defect, and no acquired heart defect were included in the study.ResultThe majority fell within the normal limits, as shown in the Gaussian curves. For instance, 40 (13.3%) of atrioventricular (AV) valve diameters were +1 Z-score above the normal, and only 5 (1.7%) were +2 Z-score above the normal. About 9.3% (28/300) had below -2 Z-score below normal, while only 5% had -1 Z-score below normal. Similarly, the left ventricular function z-scores were also derived at -3 Z-scores to +3 Z-scores. The standard reference values were compared with the results obtained from our Z score values. There was no significant difference noted in the Z-scores. P values ranged from 0.07 to 0.84 for all the cardiac structures except for gender, where Z-scores of the mitral valve and left pulmonary artery varied significantly (P = 0.02).ConclusionReference values of cardiac structure and function were presented using Z scores, and we noted no significant difference when compared with the Western standard values except for the mitral valve and left pulmonary artery.Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice.

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