Early detection of heart defects in newborns can prevent complications after childbirth and increase survival rate. This was affirmed by medical specialists at an internationalconference on obstetrics and gynecology held in Ho Chi Minh City onMay 16. Truong Ba Luu, an expert at the city's PediatricHospital No.2, said that diagnosis of heart defects in the prenatalperiod will help prevent complications during the mother's labour andafter delivery. Luu spoke at the 13thVietnam/France/Asia-Pacific Conference on Obstetrics and Gynecology,organised by HCM City-based Tu Du Obstetrics Hospital in collaborationwith the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians andthe French NGO, Gynecologists without Borders. Worldwide, heart defects account for the highest percentage of defects detected before and after birth, he said. Dr Vu Minh Phuc, head of the Paediatric Faculty at the Medicine andPharmacy University , said that more than 800 infants in HCM Cityare born with heart defects each year. More than 350 of themexperience serious complications, and many of them die, Phuc said,adding that early detection and treatment will help reduce the fatalityrate. He also urged doctors to improve pre-natal counseling for parents. Over the last decade, there have been significant advances indiagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, he said. Dr Nguyen Thu Tinh of the Paediatric Faculty at the Medicine andPharmacy University spoke about another problem that some pre-termbabies face, lung disease. He said that newborn resuscitation techniques have helped increase the rate of survival of pre-term babies. Chronic lung disease in infants who are born prematurely is defined asa condition that requires oxygen and mechanical ventilation, he said. If the problem is not addressed, oxygen dependency and an increased rate of hospitalisation could occur later, he added. The two-day conference also heard presentations on diabetes inpregnancy, surgery for advanced vulvar cancer and radiotherapy forbreast cancer, among other topics. The conference each yearattracts leading professors, doctors and experts from institutes andmedical universities around the world. Le Quang Thanh, head ofTu Du Hospital, said that diagnostic techniques and advanced treatmentsdescribed and presented at the conference over the years have beenapplied by his hospital and other facilities worldwide.-VNA