Congenital heart disease in children: things parents need to know

Congenital heart disease in children has a low incidence rate, but causes serious consequences if not treated promptly.

Children may experience a number of heart problems such as congenital heart disease, arrhythmia , pericarditis , ... Heart disease can cause death after a very short time of life or reduce the quality of life. of children.

Causes of congenital heart disease

Genetic factors and various environmental influences change the normal development of the fetus during the period of 8-9 weeks of age. There are several identifiable causes of heart disease. The causes include anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, isotretinoin, lithium salts or drugs to treat depression ... affecting the mother and fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy, causing structural abnormalities.

Besides, some other causes of congenital heart disease are mothers with poor control of diabetes, abuse of alcohol, drugs or exposure to industrial chemicals while pregnant. Some chromosomal changes such as addition or loss also cause congenital heart disease. As for other cases, the experts have yet to find a satisfactory explanation.

Congenital heart symptoms are common

Serious congenital heart defects are often apparent as soon as a baby is born or during the first few months of life. Symptoms include:

Gray, pale, or blue skin (cyanosis);

Rapidly breath;

Wheezing when breathing;

Swelling of the legs, around the eyes, or bloating;

Shortness of breath while sucking leads to difficulty gaining weight.

Less dangerous defects are often difficult to notice until the baby is really old because the signs are often unclear, including:

Easy to run out of breath when exercising or exercising;

Tired easily;

Swelling of limbs, ankles.

Is it difficult to treat congenital heart disease in children?

It can be said that congenital heart disease affects the health of the newborn and its development in the future. Thanks to advanced and modern medical technologies and techniques, today you can diagnose and monitor diseases as well as learn the structure of the heart more easily.

It can be treated with surgery, catheter insertion (central venous catheterization) and medication. The most popular method today is surgery in combination with catheter placement. Thanks to breakthroughs in heart surgery technology for children and catheterization, the treatment of congenital heart disease has a higher success rate.

Treatment of congenital heart disease is offered to newborns or even newborns because of the long-term benefits it offers. In this way, doctors can do it if they detect a child with heart disease in infancy or infancy and still have a high success rate.

There is no way that is 100% safe and successful. However, with these treatments, children can still live happily and happily in the future.

Prevent infectious endocarditis in children with congenital heart disease

Children with congenital heart disease are at risk for infectious endocarditis. This disease is quite dangerous and requires long-term treatment with intravenous antibiotics.

Children with congenital heart disease need to be given a prophylactic injection before performing certain high-risk procedures, especially when having teeth or having surgery in the gastrointestinal area. Antibiotics may also be given immediately after heart surgery in a child with an artificial heart valve or who has previously had endocarditis.

Children with congenital heart disease, in normal health conditions, do not need to use prophylactic antibiotics. However, children should be taken care of their teeth carefully by brushing and flossing properly because the bacteria that cause bacterial endocarditis are mostly bacteria that reside in the oropharynx. You should take your child to a regular dental examination and brush their teeth 2 times a day to prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream from the mouth.

How to take care of a child with a congenital heart?

Raising a child with congenital heart disease requires parents to learn the basics like how to feed, take medicine, and watch for abnormalities. Also, you need to know how to motivate your children to take care of themselves.

Since most cases are now cured at birth, parents also need to explain to their children about their illness once the baby is grown up. When your child has thought about it for himself, you can tell him why there is a scar on his body, why it is necessary to take medicine or have regular check-ups. Adults, please explain in a simple way that the baby can understand. If children realize their responsibility in protecting themselves, they will become more confident and optimistic.

Children with heart disease need to limit their participation in physical activities but can still play with their friends. Consult with your doctor about specific activities that your child should not participate in, such as highly competitive sports.

Parents with children with congenital heart disease can sometimes be overly fearful, overprotective or protective. However, this can lead to isolation and low self-esteem, and in the long run, the psychological effects are worse than heart disease. So, parents, find a way to help your baby enjoy a normal life as much as possible!