Heart Diseases in Infants and Children: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Methods

Heart diseases can seriously affect infants and children and reduce their quality of life. More than one condition can cause these diseases. With early diagnosis and treatment, these diseases can be brought under control and treated. To find more comprehensive answers to questions such as what heart diseases are seen in infants and children and how they are treated, you can read the rest of this article.

What Heart Conditions Are Seen in Infants and Children?

Heart conditions seen in infants and children vary depending on age and the identified problem. Heart problems may begin before birth and appear in the first months or years of a child's life. These conditions are related to congenital abnormalities of the child's heart structure or to diseases that develop later. Here are a few examples of heart conditions seen in infants and children:

Congenital Heart Diseases: Congenital heart diseases are abnormalities of the heart that are present from birth. These include conditions such as ventricular septal defect (a hole between the heart's ventricles), atrial septal defect (a hole between the atria), pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary artery) and tetralogy.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: In this condition, the left heart chambers are smaller than normal or have not developed properly. Infants may show symptoms such as poor feeding, shortness of breath and cyanosis (bluish discoloration).

Patent Ductus Arteriosus: This is a condition in which the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel that should normally close shortly after birth, remains open. In infants, this condition can cause difficulty breathing, rapid breathing and feeding problems.

Coarctation (Narrowing) of the Aorta: In this condition, the aorta, one of the arteries of the heart, becomes narrowed. Infants may show symptoms such as high blood pressure, weak leg pulses and rapid breathing during exertion.

Rheumatic Heart Disease: This is an inflammatory disease that develops following a Group A streptococcal infection. This condition can cause damage to the heart valves and weakening of the heart muscle. Symptoms such as heart rhythm disturbances, shortness of breath that increases with exertion and swollen ankles may occur.

Heart Rhythm Disorders: Heart rhythm disorders are also commonly seen among infants and children. These may include conditions such as atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. These conditions can cause the heart to beat irregularly or too fast.

These are some of the heart conditions seen in infants and children. Each condition may have different symptoms and treatment options. It is important for parents to consult a health professional without delay if they notice signs of any heart problem in their infant or child.

What Are the Causes of Heart Conditions Seen in Infants and Children?

There are many causes of heart disease in infants and children. Some conditions are present from birth, while others may develop later. Here are some common causes that lead to heart disease in infants and children:

Genetic Factors: Many heart diseases are associated with genetic predisposition. Genetic mutations that can be passed down from parents may lead to heart anomalies or structural problems at birth. For example, some genetic disorders such as Down syndrome increase the risk of developing heart disease.

Prenatal Factors: Some causes of heart disease in infants arise before birth. Certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy, viral infections or alcohol use can affect the baby's heart development and lead to heart problems at birth.

Infections: Some viral or bacterial infections may contribute to the development of heart disease in infants and children. For example, infections such as rubella (German measles) or cytomegalovirus can lead to heart anomalies at birth.

Medications or Medication Use: Some medications or side effects of medications can cause heart disease in infants and children. In particular, some medications used during pregnancy can lead to heart anomalies at birth.

Blood Flow Problems in the Uterus: Within the uterus, problems may occur in blood flow between the baby's heart and circulatory system. This may prevent the baby's heart from developing normally and lead to heart disease at birth.

Prematurity: Infants born prematurely may be more prone to heart problems because they have low birth weight and organs that are not yet fully developed.

Autoimmune Diseases: Some autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body, can cause inflammation of heart tissue. This may lead to heart conditions such as myocarditis in children.

The causes of heart disease in infants and children can be complex, and different factors may play a role in different conditions. However, with early diagnosis, treatment and appropriate medical intervention, many heart problems can be managed and treated.

How Are Heart Conditions Seen in Infants and Children Treated?

Treatment of heart disease in infants and children depends on the specific condition, its severity and individual needs. Treatment generally requires a multidisciplinary approach and may involve pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiac surgeons and other health professionals. Here are some of the treatment methods for heart disease in infants and children:

Medication Therapy: For infants and children with heart disease, medication may be used to relieve symptoms, regulate heart rhythm or reduce the workload on the heart. Medications are generally used to lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart muscle or control heart rhythm disorders.

Surgical Intervention: Some heart diseases may require surgical intervention. For example, if there are congenital heart anomalies, septal defects (holes) or problems with the heart valves, surgical repair may be needed. Surgical procedures may include heart valve repair, arterial repairs and heart transplantation.

Balloon Angioplasty: In some cases where the heart vessels are narrowed or blocked, a minimally invasive procedure called balloon angioplasty may be performed. In this procedure, a balloon is placed in the vessel through a catheter and inflated to open the vessel.

Heart Vessel Stents: If the heart vessels are narrowed or weakened, stents may be used. Stents are small metal or plastic tubes used to open narrowed vessels or to reinforce weakened ones.

Pacemaker: If an irregular heart rhythm is present due to some heart diseases, a device called a pacemaker may be used. The pacemaker sends electrical signals to regulate the heart rhythm and ensure that it beats in a regular way.

Rehabilitation and Supportive Care: Rehabilitation and supportive care are important for infants and children during treatment. Physical therapy, dietary counseling and psychosocial support can help in managing the disease and improve the child's quality of life.

Regular Follow-up and Monitoring: Infants and children need regular doctor appointments to monitor and control heart disease. Check-ups allow the course of the disease to be monitored, medications to be adjusted and, if necessary, the treatment plan to be revised.

Treatment of heart disease may vary according to the individual situation and the characteristics of the disease. It is important to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Treatment of heart disease in infants and children requires a multidisciplinary approach, together with early diagnosis, regular follow-up and appropriate medical intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your infant has bluish discoloration, fainting, palpitations, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, developmental delay, or a family history of congenital heart disease, you should consult the pediatric cardiology department.

In addition to the examination, tests such as ECG, EKO (echocardiography), rhythm and blood pressure Holter, exercise test and tilt table test may be performed.

Symptoms such as palpitations, fainting and weakness may indicate a heart rhythm disorder. Tests such as ECG and rhythm Holter are used to make a diagnosis.

To make an appointment, you can call our call center at 444 5 888 or create an online appointment through our website.

If you think your infant or child may have a heart condition, you can apply to our Hisar Hospital Pediatric Cardiology department for early diagnosis and treatment. You can also safely have your other examinations in the field of child health and diseases, as well as necessary laboratory tests, done.