Introduction: Heart disease is the fifth cause of death in infants and children and ‎‏%90‏‎ of ‎these causes are related to congenital heart diseases.Nearly‏%20‏‎ of these children experience ‎heart failure and surgery, but life expectancy for these children is increased by palliative and ‎corrective surgeries. Demographic characteristics and clinical symptoms influence the progress ‎of these diseases. So on time recognition of high risk infants can improve promotion of ‎effective nursing programs and prevention of uncontrolled complications.‎

Objective: The goal of this study is to determine the common reasons for children referring to ‎heart educational centers in Rasht city and their personal and clinical characteristics.‎

Methods: This retrospective research determined the causes of pediatric heart disease in ‎Rasht and its relationship with clinical and demographic manifestation. The data collection ‎tool consisted of a three part questionnaire which was filled through patient's medical charts ‎‎(‎‏102‏‎ children) who referred to this center from ‎‏2004-2005‏‎.‎

Results: Findings showed that ‎‏%57‏‎ of samples was males, ‎‏%14‏‎ of them had a family history ‎of heart disease and ‎‏%4‏‎ of them had a sibling with heart disease, ‎‏%5‏‎ of their mother used ‎prescribed drugs in pregnancy. Forty-nine percent of all admission leads to surgery. The ‎major cause of admission was VSD(‎‏%29‏‎.‎‏4‏‎)and the most clinical manifestation was ‎fatigue(‎‏%83/3‏‎) and dispnea(‎‏76/5%‏‎).There was a significant relationship between prevalent ‎disease which leads to surgery, demographic characteristics and its clinical symptoms.‎

Conclusion: Recognition of demographic and clinical characteristics are useful for better ‎nursing care plans in order to prevent unsuitable side effects.‎