-Contributed by Charu Dhasmana
The most joyous moment for any parent would be the birth of their child. However, for some families, that joyous moment becomes a nightmare when they learn that their child is diagnosed with medical conditions. One such condition is a congenital heart defect (CHD), condition which is among the most common birth defects worldwide.
In this article, we’ll understand congenital heart defects in infants and how are they diagnosed.
What Are Congenital Heart Defects in Infants?
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a group of defects that occur due to presence of a range of structural abnormalities in the heart at birth. There arises a problem with how your child’s’ heart forms before birth, and how blood flows through their heart and beyond.
A congenital heart defect may involve:
- Walls of the heart
- Heart valves
- Blood vessels connected to the heart
- Chambers of the heart
Congenital Heart Defects in Infants: Causes
The causes of congenital heart defects in infants can include:
- Genetic conditions or chromosomal abnormalities
- Family history of heart defects
- Maternal infections during pregnancy
- Uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy
- Exposure to certain medications, alcohol, or tobacco
- Poor maternal nutrition
Congenital Heart Defects in Infants: Types
The most common types of congenital heart defects in infants include:
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the Great Arteries
Congenital Heart Defects in Infants: Signs and Symptoms
Given below are the early signs of congenital heart defects in infants:
- Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds)
- Rapid breathing
- Poor feeding and fatigue
- Sweating more than usual
- Failure to thrive
- Swelling in the body
How Are Congenital Heart Defects Diagnosed?
When the child is taken to a hospital, a clinical examination takes place where often a murmur is heard. Sometimes, doctors use the pulse oximetry techniques wherein the oxygen levels in the baby's blood helps identify critical heart defects shortly after birth. The diagnosis is confirmed with the help of various investigations.
ECG (Electrocardiogram) taken in the children with VSD or ASD can show variations. Subtle changes can also be seen in a chest X-ray. Echocardiography, which is an imaging technique using ultrasound, is done to confirm and precisely characterize the defects. Here, doctors can directly visualize the defect and describe its size, location, hemodynamic significance, any associated anomalies and use color doppler to find turbulent flow across the hole.
Apart from these conventional tests, advanced imaging techniques like cardiac MRI are available now, increasing the precision in diagnosis for the treatment for hole in heart in infants.
Treatment for Hole in Heart in Infants
Treatment for hole in heart in infants’ options may include:
- Regular monitoring
- Medications
- Catheter-based procedures
- Open-heart surgery
- Long-term cardiac care
Genesis Foundation: NGO for Congenital Heart Defect Treatment
There’re several NGOs in India that are working tirelessly to bridge the gap between a child in need and life-saving treatment. Among the organizations working in the child healthcare sector, Genesis Foundation stands out. It’s an NGO in Gurugram that supports congenital heart defect treatment of underprivileged children (0–18 years old) born with heart defects.
Being a true NGO means showing up again and again. It's about being present with parents, from start to finish, so they know that they are not alone. And somewhere along the way Genesis Foundation has learned something; when you care enough to stay, families feel seen. They feel supported. And they believe that their child will be okay- not just medically, but emotionally too.
As an NGO for child heart surgery, they don’t just want to treat children. They want to give them a chance to grow, dream, and live their lives fully. They desire to ensure their parents take a little exhale. They want to be that soft, quiet whisper in the background saying, “You are not alone.”
To Sum Up
With the advancement in technology, doctors are now able to provide treatment for hole in heart in infants. These are non-invasive procedures performed in the Cath Lab. However, the average cost of such treatments lies in the range of Rs. 1,00,000- 5,00,000, and for many, access to these life-saving treatments remains an unattainable dream.
For 25 years, Genesis Foundation has ensured that every child is given a chance to live irrespective of the resources the family has.
Help us give life a chance. Donate on the given link today. Genesis Foundation is a FCRA-certified organization that facilitates safe and secure payments form the abroad.
#OnePromiseManyHeartbeats