Learn about Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease refers to structural defects of the heart that are existing at birth. These may or may not be detectable at birth. Congenital heart disease may affects the septal wall, the valves or the blood vessels, resulting in abnormal circulation of blood through the heart. Congenital heart disease is the common birth defect. With the advancement in medical treatment, almost all children born with congenital heart disease can grow to maturity and lead a normal life. Unfortunately, not all congenital heart diseases are diagnosed at birth. When treatment starts much later in life, it can be more arduous as the heart has already sustained damage over a period of time. Hence, pediatrician monitoring of an infant's growth is important. Coping with Congenital Heart Disease During pregnancy, ultrasound scanning can be used to screen for congenital heart disease. This scan is often performed after the fifth month of pregnancy when the fetal heart is large enough for imaging. If signs of congenital heart disease is detected, a fetal echocardiograph, which is a more comprehensive ultrasound scan, will be performed. Upon birth, a baby with congenital heart disease may appear breathless and blue. This symptom may take time to manifest, depending on the type of congenital heart disease. Babies are born with a special blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) connecting the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This is normally closed 3 days after birth. Hence, congenital heart disease, which affects the ductus arteriosus may present symptoms after a few days. Sometimes congenital heart disease does not present noticeable physical signs at birth. Congenital heart disease may also escape detection right up adulthood. During routine follow up pediatrician examinations, one of the watch areas is the present of a heart murmur. This will necessitates further investigation. It is not necessarily caused by congenital heart disease. Most congenital heart diseases are minor requiring no treatment or are easily treated. Some congenital heart diseases are self-healing. These normally involving ventricular septal defect where the hole is small. In many other cases, major surgery will be necessary to repair the defect. Congenital heart disease is fairly common and is understandably, a great anxiety for the parents. However, most children with congenital heart disease can go on to lead a normal active life.
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