Congenital heart defects are problems with the
heart's structure that are present at birth. Congenital heart defects change
the normal flow of blood through the heart.
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of
birth defect, affecting 8 out of every 1,000 newborns. Each year, more than
35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects.
There are many types of congenital heart defects
ranging from simple to very complex.
Doctors don't know what causes most congenital heart
defects. Heredity may play a role.
Although many heart defects have few or no symptoms, some do. Severe defects can cause symptoms such as:
Rapid breathing.
A bluish tint to skin, lips, and fingernails. This
is called cyanosis.
Fatigue (tiredness).
Poor blood circulation.
Serious heart defects are usually diagnosed while a
baby is still in the womb or soon after birth. Some defects aren't diagnosed
until later in childhood, or even in adulthood.
An echocardiogram is an important test for both
diagnosing a heart problem and following the problem over time. This test
helps diagnose problems with how the heart is formed and how well it's
working. Other tests include EKG (electrocardiogram), chest x ray, pulse
oximetry, and cardiac catheterization.
Doctors treat congenital heart defects with catheter
procedures and surgery.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the
defect.
With new advances in testing and treatment, most children with congenital heart defects grow into adulthood and can live healthy, productive lives. Some need special care all though their lives to maintain a good quality of life.
SOURCE: US Department of Health and Human Services. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is also also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome." Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve abnormality. Signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include: fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, and migraine headaches. Echocardiography is the most useful test for mitral valve prolapse. Most patients do not need any treatment, however, patients with severe prolapse may need treatment.
Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity is most commonly caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Some of the other causes of ascites include portal hypertension, congestive heart failure, blood clots, and pancreatitis. The most common symptoms include increased abdominal girth and size, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on the cause of ascites.
Aortic valve stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart. The causes of aortic stenosis are wear and tear of the valve in the elderly, congenital, or scarring or scarring of the aortic valve from rheumatic fever. Symptoms include angina, fainting, and shortness of breath. Treatment is dependant upon the severity of the condition.
A heart murmur is the sound generated when blood flow within the heart is not smooth. Causes of heart murmurs can be functional, congenital, or caused heart valve conditions. Symptoms of a heart murmur may be none, or may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and arm, leg, and ankle swelling. Treatment of a heart murmur depends on the cause.
Aortic dissection is a small tear in the large blood vessel that leads from the heart and supplies blood to the body. There are two types of aortic dissection, type 1 and type 2. Signs and symptoms of aortic dissection include a tearing or ripping pain, nausea, sweating, weakness, shortness of breath, sweating, or fainting. Treatment depends on the type of aortic dissection, and the severity of the tear in the aorta.
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart malformation. A VSD is a hole in the wall of the heart's two lower chambers. Approximately, one in 500 infants will be born with a VSD. Treatment depends upon whether the VSD is small or large in size.
Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes birth defects (congenital malformations) such as short stature, caved-in chestbone, webbing of the neck as well as heart and blood vessel defects. Named after Dr. Jacqueline A. Noonan it is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. The Noonan gene (NS1) is on a nonsex (autosomal) chromosome (number 12) and is transmitted from a parent with a 50% probability to boy or girl. Treatment for Noonan syndrome is directed toward the problems that may occur in a given affected individual. The heart defects may require surgical treatment. The expected outcome (prognosis) depends on the extent and severity of the features that are present.
The heart is a very important organ in the body. It is responsible for continuously pumping oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body to sustain life. It is a fist-sized muscle that beats (expands and contracts) 100,000 times per day, pumping a total of five or six quarts of blood each minute, or about 2,000 gallons per day.
There are many syndromes and defects that may cause urine blockage in newborns. Defects in the urinary tract that may cause urine blockage include vesicoureteral reflux, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, bladder outlet obstruction, posterior urethral valves, nerve disease, and ureterocele. Syndromes that may cause urinary blockage include congenital heart defects, esophageal atresia, and prune belly syndrome. Treatment for urine blockage in newborns depends on the cause of the blockage.
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