Index
- The baby's heart deformities
- Symptoms of congenital heart defect
- Treatment of the baby's heart defect
- How to prevent heart disease
- Living with heart defect
- The disadvantages of the disease
The baby's heart deformities
The malformation is formed when the heart of the foetus forms its four valves and four cavities. This period is between the 21st and 56th day of pregnancy. The heart at the beginning is only a small, crude tube. It rolls up on itself and then divides into various cavities. The malformations mainly concern the circulation of the blood. The blood circulation can be deflected, short-circuited or blocked. A heart defect in the baby is caused by poisoning of the mother, a chromosome abnormality or an infection. It can be a simple abnormality without any consequences, just as it can be a severe form.
Symptoms of congenital heart defect
A baby's heart defect refers to any defect or abnormality of the heart. Symptoms can be discovered before birth, but they can also appear during the first week of life. During pregnancy, a heart defect is detected with a special ultrasound, the foetal echocardiography. Possible morphological malformations are investigated during the second trimester ultrasound. In the event of an abnormality, a medical follow-up of the mother is obligatory. In certain cases, the anomalies may not allow the unborn child to be viable. The doctor may advise an interruption of the pregnancy. The warning signs of a heart defect in the baby are:
- Blueing of the lips, skin and nail beds: Also known as cyanosis, this is caused by a lack of oxygen
- Difficult or rapid breathing by the child
- A cold and pale skin
- Apathy
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Edema of the abdomen, joints or feet as appropriate
Treatment of the baby's heart defect
The treatment of heart defects has made great progress compared to 60 years ago. Only 20% of babies with heart defects could then survive. The diagnosis of heart defects in babies has improved significantly thanks to the development of medical imaging. Complementary techniques such as CT scans and MRI scans now make it possible to explore the heart and blood vessels even in newborns.
Some of the baby's heart deformities are minimal. The holes between the heart chambers can close without the need for surgery. Repairing the heart defect becomes a necessity when it proves to be too large. This repair will consist of:
- Filling of abnormal holes
- The creation of the missing holes
- Dilation of the vessels
The two most common methods used to do this are surgery and catheterisation. Heart failure is treated with medications such as oxygen, diuretics, digoxin and salt restriction. When it is severe or acute or when the weight of the newborn does not change, surgery is required.
How to prevent heart disease
It is entirely possible to avoid heart disease. The first rule to do this is to follow a healthy lifestyle. Behavioural changes and lifestyle habits must be adopted. This can be done by:
- Avoid smoking or stop smoking if you already do
- Diabetes control for those with diabetes
- Make frequent visits to the doctor to check the general state of health
- Managing stress
- Maintaining an ideal weight
- Controlling blood pressure
In a pregnant woman, the best way to prevent the baby's heart defect is to:
- take the necessary measures such as vaccination to avoid contracting infectious diseases
- Banning alcohol and tobacco or drugs from your habits
- To be followed during pregnancy to avoid any risk
- Do not take medication without consulting your doctor
Living with heart defect
People who have survived a baby's heart defect are not completely healed after they have been operated on. These operations are likely to leave after-effects that can be harmful to them as the years go by. The risks they run are:
- A sudden death
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Infectious endocarditis
In this way, the baby's heart deformities can be treated, but he or she is not immune to further relapses at a later stage.
The disadvantages of the disease
Daily life with a heart defect is no easy task. Patients are obliged to see their cardiologist on a regular basis. As their physical condition weakens over the years, they cannot always fulfil their obligations properly. As a result, they may be subjected to disparaging remarks or misunderstandings from those around them. Sporting activities require special supervision. Similarly, a woman with a heart defect cannot ensure a pregnancy without special attention.
