Congenital Heart Defects in Children: Symptoms, Types, Treatment, and Prevention
Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect in children. It affects the heart's arteries, valves, veins, and walls, changing how your heart pumps blood. Some congenital heart defects are treatable and have mild symptoms, while others are critical and need specialised treatment.
Researchers have not been able to find out what causes congenital defects, but it is speculated that changes in the genes of a baby sometimes lead to a heart defect. These changes may happen during pregnancy, or the baby may acquire the changed gene from the parent.
In this article, we will take a look at the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of congenital heart defects. We will also guide you about the steps you can take to prevent this disorder.
Symptoms of Congenital Heart Defects
Severe heart problems are noticeable after birth or within two to three months. Other congenital heart defects may cause:
Very low blood pressure
baby appears blue shortly after birth
Feeding problems
Breathing difficulties
Poor weight gain
Many times, minor defects related to the heart are diagnosed by the doctor during a routine medical examination of the baby. Babies may not exhibit any symptoms if they have minor defects. Even heart murmurs in children can happen due to these defects.
If a physician suspects heart problems based on a heart murmur or symptoms, the child will likely be referred to a pediatric cardiologist who is trained to treat and diagnose heart-related issues in infants, children, and young adults. They have all the equipment and expertise needed to determine what treatments and tests the little one will need. They will also tell how often a baby will need to undergo heart checkups to deal with the problem.
Types of Congenital Heart Defects
Let's take a detailed look at the types of congenital defects.
Ventricular Septal Defect: If the wall between the two ventricles doesn't develop fully in the baby during pregnancy, there may be a hole. A ventricular septal defect is a congenital heart defect that presents at birth. Over time, large ventricular septal defects can cause heart failure.
Atrial Septal Defect: An atrial septal defect is a hole between the upper chambers of the heart. The hole increases the flow of blood through the lungs. Simple cardiac surgery or device closure may be needed to treat atrial septal defect and prevent its complications.
Tetralogy of Fallot: This is a complex congenital heart defect caused by four heart defects at birth. The structure of the heart is affected by these defects, leading to the flow of oxygen-poor blood out of the heart to the entire body. Children and infants with tetralogy of Fallot have blue skin because enough oxygen is not present in their blood.
Coarctation of the Aorta: Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital heart defect. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. In a few cases, the condition may be detected only during adulthood. This condition often occurs in combination with other congenital heart defects. The condition can be treated, but careful lifelong follow-up will be required.
Transposition of the Great Arteries: This is a rare condition in which two main arteries are reversed in origin. This condition may be seen before birth in a baby during a routine pregnancy ultrasound.
Who Has a Higher Chance of Having a Baby With a Congenital Heart Defect?
The chances of having a baby with a congenital heart defect can increase based on the following factors:
Women With a Family History: Pregnant mothers with a family history of congenital heart failure can be at greater risk of having a baby with this condition. Congenital heart defect in either of the parents or siblings increases the risk slightly. Some congenital heart defects have a genetic component.
Women who Get Pregnant at an Older Age: Chances of having a baby with a congenital heart defect may increase in mothers who have become pregnant at an older age.
Maternal Health: Certain infections, diabetes, and obesity during pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital heart defects in the baby.
Women Who Take Medications: Some medications, like certain antiseizure medications, when taken during pregnancy, can increase the chance of congenital heart defects.
Chemically Exposed Women: Exposure to environmental factors, like high levels of chemicals and radiation, can also increase the risk of this condition.
Women With Genetic Syndromes: Congenital abnormalities, like DiGeorge syndrome and Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), are also linked to an increased risk of congenital heart defects.
What Is the Treatment for Congenital Heart Defects?
Congenital heart defect treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and the type of defect. Possible treatment of congenital abnormality includes interventional methods like cardiac catheterisation that repairs simple defects, like a small hole in the heart's inside wall. Defects that are complex or not treatable with cardiac interventions will require heart surgery. Some conditions may require a heart transplant if the condition is very severe.
All adults and children having congenital heart defects need to visit a paediatric cardiologist on a periodic basis, even if their condition was treated. In complex cases, several catheterisations or heart surgeries may be needed over the years. Some people may even be advised to take medications to keep their hearts working correctly.
How Can I Prevent Congenital Heart Defects?
Preventing congenital heart defects is difficult as the exact cause of this condition is unknown. Genetic screening and testing may be done during pregnancy if there is a high chance of giving birth to a child with this condition. One can take these steps to reduce your baby's risk of developing this condition:
Get proper prenatal care: One must get regular check-ups with the doctor during pregnancy to detect any potential issues before they become untreatable.
Don't Smoke or Drink: Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking during pregnancy, as these lifestyle habits can severely impact your unborn baby's growth and development.
Take a multivitamin with folic acid. It has been shown that taking 4mg of folic acid daily can reduce spinal cord and brain-related birth defects. It may also reduce the chances of heart defects.
Get a rubella vaccine: Rubella infection during pregnancy may adversely affect the heart development of the baby. Get vaccinated before planning the pregnancy.
Control blood sugar: It is important to keep the blood sugar in control to reduce the chances of congenital heart defects.
Manage chronic health conditions. Talk to the doctor if one has other health conditions, like phenylketonuria, to learn how to treat and manage them.
Consult your doctor before taking any medications: During pregnancy, one should not take any medicine without the advice of the doctor. Some medications have been linked to congenital disabilities. Tell your doctor about all your medications.
Conclusion
Congenital heart defects can have a huge impact on the lives of those affected. Depending on the severity and type of the congenital disease, the complications can vary. These conditions may need constant monitoring, medical care, and treatment to manage cardiovascular health effects.
Beyond physical health, this condition can also take a toll on developmental milestones, leading to delays in mobility for affected children and infants. Early interventions, supportive care, and access to the right medical resources are important to help individuals with this condition manage congenital heart defects-related challenges.
Is your loved one facing this challenging issue? Consult with an expert cardiologist for the best treatment and care.
FAQs
1. Are congenital heart defects treatable?
Yes, many CHDs are treatable. Depending on the defect, treatments range from medications and catheter-based procedures to open-heart surgery or even heart transplants.
2. What are the common symptoms of CHDs in newborns?
Symptoms may include bluish skin (cyanosis), rapid breathing, poor feeding, fatigue, or delayed growth and development.
3. Can congenital heart defects be prevented?
While not all CHDs can be prevented, maintaining good prenatal care, avoiding harmful substances, and managing chronic conditions during pregnancy can lower the risk.
4. Will my child lead a normal life with a CHD?
Many children with CHD grow up to lead healthy lives, especially with timely treatment and proper follow-up care. However, some may require ongoing medical supervision.
5. Are congenital heart defects hereditary?
Some CHDs have a genetic component and may run in families. If there’s a history of CHD, genetic counseling during pregnancy is advisable.
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