A recent report from Indian Pediatrics shows that, every year, more than 200,000 babies in India are born with Congenital Heart Disorders (CHD). Out of these, about one-fifth are likely to suffer from a serious anomaly that requires medical intervention in the first year of life. What is more alarming is that, at present, only a small percentage of these children have access to specialized pediatric cardio care. While you can always count on a trusted clinic aggregator such as Meddo to connect you with reputable pediatricians in Gurgaon, Dwarka, and other parts of the NCR; it would help to be aware about the basics of CHD, which we will cover in this blog post. Read on.
What is Congenital Health Disease?
Congenital Heart Disease is an umbrella term used for various heart disorders that develop during pregnancy. The anomalies range from low-risk, that may cause no real problems and get better with time, to complex, that can be life-threatening. The disease can affect any part of the heart’s structures including the valves,septum (the wall of tissue that separates the chambers), chambers, and arteries.
What are the Common Congenital Heart Defects?
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
- Tetralogy of fallot
- Atrial septal defects
- Atrioventricular Septal Defect
- Coarctation of the Aorta
- Double-outlet right ventricle
- D-Transposition of the great arteries
- Ebstein anomaly
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome
- Interrupted aortic arch
- Pulmonary atresia
- Single ventricle
- Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
- Tricuspid atresia
- Truncus Arteriosus
What are the Symptoms of CHD?
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- A bluish tint to the skin, fingernails, and lips (cyanosis)
- Shortness of breath
- Tiring quickly upon exertion
- Swelling of body tissue or organs (edema)
- Failure to thrive
- Trouble nursing/taking a bottle (gagging)
What are the Causes of CHD?
There are no known causes of most forms of congenital heart disease. Mothers often wonder if something they did during the pregnancy that caused the heart problem but they cannot attribute anything to the defect. Some heart problems, however, can be genetic in nature. The risk of CHD increases if the mother had a disease during pregnancy and was taking medication, such as anti-seizure medicines. In most cases, however, there is no identifiable reason as to why the related heart condition developed.
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Tests and Diagnosis
Most CHDs are detected in routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Some less serious heart conditions may go undiagnosed until the child gets older and starts showing certain signs or symptoms of a congenital heart disease. During pregnancy, if your doctor believes that your baby may have CHD, you will likely be referred to a pediatric cardiologist for further testing that will be performed depending on the type of heart defect your child may have. Some examples of the tests used include fetal echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electrocardiogram (EKG), and cardiac catheterization.
What are the Treatments for CHDs?
Congenital heart problems can range from simple to complex. Some heart problems can be treated by your child’s cardiologist and managed with medicines, while others may require heart surgery or cardiac catheterization — sometimes, as soon as in the first few hours after birth. In some cases, children even “grow out” of certain defects, such as Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). These conditions simply resolve on their own as the child grows. Other children can have more complex forms of CHDs, or a combination of different types, and require several operations or catheter interventions and ongoing care throughout their lives.
The Bottom Line
Congenital Health Disorders can not only affect the patients for their entire lifetime, they can also spell the end of the line. It is also important that babies born with CHD transition to an appropriate type of cardiac care according to the type of disorder they have, upon reaching adulthood. If you are looking to a pediatrician in Dwarka, Gurgaon or Delhi, look no further than Meddo. With Meddo, you’re assured of the best treatment for all sorts of health concerns including Congenital Health Diseases. If you have any questions, write to us at contact@meddo.in or simply call +91-87-5200-5200. To book an appointment with a pediatrician near you, click here.
