Congenital Heart Disease in Child: When to seek a doctors advice

Cardiology | by BMB

As per research, every year more than 2,00,000 child born in India with a hole in their tiny heart.

Within a year after birth, one-fifth of them are highly likely to be in a critical state requiring surgery. A congenital heart defect is one of the most common birth defects that affect the younger population in India. Although it is treatable, if not treated properly can turn into a life-threatening condition. This calls for awareness about the treatment of such conditions in the Indian population. In this blog, you can get to know more from our panel of surgeons practicing in pediatric cardiology in Kolkata.

What is Congenital Heart Defect?

Congenital heart defect signifies the defects i.e present from birth. This group of disorders affects the way the heart develops and works from birth and can alter the way blood flows through a person's heart.

How to detect these birth defects?

If your child is suffering from a heart issue(CHD), you need to trust an expert. As suggested by the best cardiologist in Kolkata, congenital heart defects can be diagnosed before birth while the baby is still in the womb. This can be done with-

• Fetal echocardiogram- This test uses ultrasound images to see the baby's heart in motion so that your doctor can spot any problems with its valves or structure.
• Genetic testing- this is performed after the collection of blood samples from the mother during pregnancy.
• A routine prenatal test- to check the regular growth and development of the embryo during pregnancy.
• However, a wide range of congenital birth defects can be diagnosed during a regular check-up in childhood days. To examine your child's health, the doctor listens to their heartbeat. If they hear an unusual sound or hear a cardiac murmur, doctors may prescribe more testing, such as-
• Echocardiogram.
• Electrocardiogram
• MRI
• Chest X-ray
• CT Scan
• Pulse Oximetry
• Or cardiac catheterization in severe cases.

How can you know whether your child is suffering from CHD or not?

The following are the symptoms of a child suffering from Congenital Heart Disease(CHD)-

• Fast heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Easy fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Reduced ability to play
• Inability to play with other kids of the same age
• Repeated respiratory tract infections(RTI)
• Swelling around the eyes, legs, and belly

Your pediatrician may refer your child to a pediatric cardiologist if he/she has noticed the above-mentioned signs. You can get the required treatment options in a pediatric cardiology hospital in Kolkata.

Treatment options for Congenital Heart disease in your child:

If your child has a severe congenital heart defect, your pediatric cardiologist may recommend any of the following surgery-

• Cardiac catheterization-Congenital heart abnormalities are treated in some children and adults using thin, flexible tubes (catheters). Without open-heart surgery, cardiac catheterization can be used to repair holes in the heart or narrow areas.
• Fetal cardiac intervention- the procedure is performed during pregnancy if a congenital defect is detected during birth.
• Heart surgery-open heart or minimally invasive surgery can be performed on your baby’s heart to repair any inborn heart defect.
• Fetal hearty transplant- if your doctor can’t repair the defect by any means, he/she may recommend a transplant.

FAQ- all your concerns addressed

• What are the conditions that can lead to CHD? How can I prevent this from happening?

Your doctor may not be a to tell you the reason for your child’s birth defect. Sometimes, it may run in families because of the problems in the genes of your child.

Other factors that may increase the chances of developing CHD-

• -viral infections like rubella at the first trimester of pregnancy
• -alcohol intake
• -smoking during pregnancy
• -medications for anti-seizure(sodium valproate), anti-acne(tretinoin)

• Does my child is in high risk of having COVID-19?

If your child has a history of surgery or treatment for CHD in past, he/she is more prone to develop any infection. You need to be extra cautious in such cases.

• Regular health check-ups
• Teleconsultation
• Your doctor may look for a multidisciplinary approach for your child
• Consult with your pediatrician before vaccination (consult with the doctor who knows your child's medical history from the very first days)
• Complete Immunization for your child

Conclusion- if you believe that your child is suffering from such issues and want a second opinion, you can consult with one of the best heart specialists in Kolkata.