What are Congenital Heart Diseases?

Verified by: Dr. Bhushan Chavan, Consultant Pediatric Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai

Heart disease in infants and children is not a rare entity. There are approximately 2.4L children diagnosed with congenital heart disease every year in India. Most of us will question as to why and how do children suffer from a heart disease? What do you mean by congenital heart disease? Let’s clear out these doubts and discuss congenital heart diseases in greater detail.

What are congenital heart diseases?

Congenital heart disease(CHD) or heart defects present at birth, represent diseases or abnormalities of the heart valves (leaf like structures that regulate blood flow in the heart chambers), heart walls and blood vessels of the heart. Examples include Atrial Septal Defect(ASD), Ventricular Septal Defect(VSD), Tetralogy of Fallot(TOF), Coarctation of Aorta, etc.

CHDs commonly occur in infants and children. Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai has screened more than 215 infants and children in the economically backward communities in the cities of Maharashtra. 35 children were successfully operated and rehabilitated for Cardiac defects.

These defects may sometimes remain undetected in individuals in whom there is lack of symptoms. There are adults as well with congenital heart diseases with or without symptoms.

How does one recognise the presence of CHD?

CHD is usually suspected when the doctor assesses the chest and heart of the infant or child during routine check-up or in the presence of symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath or breathlessness
• Appearance of blue colour over lips, skin, fingers and toes
• Chest pain
• Poor weight gain
• Fatigue
• Difficulty in feeding

Reasons for CHD

Researchers say that the heart of a baby in the mother’s womb may fail to develop due to the following risk factors:

• Hereditary: CHD may be acquired by the baby through parents if they have the genes for CHD.
• Blood sugar levels: Rise in blood sugar levels in the expectant mother during pregnancy
• Viral infections: Presence of viral infections during pregnancy may affect the growing baby. Example: Rubella infection.
• Prescription drugs: Taking prescription drugs frequently during pregnancy may cause adverse effects on the baby.
• Alcohol/ drugs: Consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs by the pregnant female may cause birth defects.

How will the doctor confirm a CHD?

The doctor will confirm a CHD in an infant or an adult through:

• Echocardiogram
• Chest X-ray/ECG
• CT scan if necessary

A routine Ultrasound examination of a pregnant woman may also reveal defects in the heart of growing baby in the womb. With appropriate tests, the doctor can confirm a diagnosis of critical CHD during pregnancy itself.

We at Apollo hospitals also have state-of-the-art technology to ensure proper diagnosis and healthy recovery of the child.

How is a CHD treated?

Mild or negligible defects do not require special treatment as they heal on their own as the child grows. Severe cases require medications to regulate blood flow and heart rate and prevent blood clots; heart devices like a pacemaker to regulate heartbeat and surgery to repair the defect.

Consult the best paediatric cardiologist in Mumbai.

With the latest cutting-edge technology and highly qualified Paediatric Cardiac surgeons, nurses and the paramedical team, we at Apollo Hospitals ensure the highest standards of cardiac care.

Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai has also achieved a feather in its cap for performing 11 marathon paediatric cardiac interventions in 11 hours!

Trust technology trust Apollo!

Call 022 6280 6280 for appointment.