According to pediatric cardiology, congenital heart defect (CHD) is a problem that arises due to abnormal heart structure when a child is born with it. Some CHDs are simple and allow the children to be active like other normal kids and do not require treatment. However, there are complex CHDs that also need numerous surgeries performed over several years. At the end of these surgeries, the child can lead a normal life and be active. But before availing of the treatment, you need to know in detail about the heart defect, the condition of your child, and how it can affect their lives in the common years.
Table of Contents
What are the Different Types of CHD a Child can have?
The different types of CHD that children can suffer from are as follows.
ASD or Atrial Septal Defect
Bicuspid aortic valve
Congenital Mitral valve anomalies
Ebstein anomaly
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Long QT syndrome
PDA or Patent Ductus and truncus Arteriosus
Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septum defect and intact ventricular septum
Tetralogy of Fallot
Great arteries transposition
VSD or Vnetricular Septal Defect
Atrioventricular canal defect
Aorta coarctation
Double-outlet right ventricle
Eisenmenger syndrome
Kawasaki disease
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return
Patent foramen ovale
Pulmonary valve stenosis
TAPVR or Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
Tricuspid atresia
Vascular rings
WPW or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
FAQ
What is the most common CHD in children?
The most common CHD for which you have to consult a pediatric cardiologyspecialist is superventricular tachycardia. It is a type of arrhythmia with a faster heart rate (tachycardia).
What are the symptoms of CHD in children?
Pediatric cardiology specialists can notice CHD soon after birth or during the first few months of the children’s lives. Symptoms and signs of CHD in children include:
Blue or pale gray lips, fingernails, or tongue
Swelling in the belly, legs, or areas surrounding the eyes
Quick breathing
Breath shortness during feeding sessions, resulting in poor weight gain
Often pediatric cardiology doctors cannot recognize lesser serious or visible congenital heart defects until later in their childhood. The symptoms of CHD in little older children are:
Easy breath shortness during activity or exercise
Fainting during activity or exercise
Easily getting tired during normal activity or exercise
Fainting during activity or exercise
Just after born, if you observe any of the symptoms or signs mentioned above, consult your pediatric cardiology doctor instantly.
There are no known causes for CHD in children. Most people have a misconception that it occurs primarily due to mothers doing something during their pregnancy. But it is wrong. Nothing can be attributed to a heart defect. Some heart problems occur due to hereditary or genetic problems. Other CHDs can occur if a mother suffers from a disease or takes medicines like anti-seizure medicines during pregnancy. However, mostly, there are no recognizable causes for CHD in children.
Treatment
There can be complex or simple congenital heart defects. Pediatric cardiologists can manage some CHD problems with regular monitoring and medicines, while other CHDs might need cardiac catheterization or heart surgery. Surgeons might perform these surgeries during the baby’s birth or later in their lives.
Sometimes, children also grow out some of the CHDs like ASD or PDA on their own. If not cured with age, pediatric cardiology doctors might need numerous operations, ongoing care, or catheter interventions for their entire lives.
Wrapping it up
Pediatric cardiologists treat children with CHD by diagnosing the problem and managing their health before and after the surgery. It is imperative to know which type of congenital heart defect your child is suffering from and what type of care they need. Whatever their problem is, only an experienced pediatric cardiology doctor can resolve it and give them a normal life back.
