A Brief Synopsis of the Congenital Heart Disease

WHAT IS CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE?

Congenital Heart Disease or CHD is referred to as structural abnormality of the heart which is present since birth. The defect can be witnessed in the blood vessels near the heart, which ultimately causes obstruction in the blood flow. The Congenital Heart Disease can be classified into two categories, namely: Cyanotic and Non-Cyanotic.

In type 1, i.e., Cyanotic, the color of the skin becomes blue due to the lack of oxygen. It occurs due to deoxygenated blood bypassing the lungs and entering the systemic circulation or a mixture of oxygenated and unoxygenated blood entering the systemic circulation. On the other hand, in case of Non-Cyanotic, blood is shunted (flows) from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart due to a structural defect (hole) in the interventricular septum. People often retain normal levels of oxyhemoglobin saturation in the systemic circulation.

The exact cause for CHD is unidentifiable in most cases. Infection from Rubella Virus along with retinoic acids and chemicals during pregnancy is the leading factor for CHD. Some of the famous cardiac surgery specialists in Maryland claim that CHD is a condition which can be seen in every 3.9 births per 1000 births. The defects are generally witnessed immediately after birth, however, in some cases it may be discovered later.

RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS

Many things such as Down’s syndrome, a mother suffering from conditions like diabetes, rubella, or using anti-seizure medication or anti-acne medication along with genetic predisposition can contribute to the development of CHD in a baby. Other factors like smoking and consuming alcohol while pregnant can also cause CHD in a baby.

The Symptoms Include:

·      Arecyanosis (blue or purple appearance of the skin – especially the lips, ears and mouth)

·      Increased respiratory rate or facing difficulty while breathing

·      Excessive sweating during feeding

·      Not being able to suckle

·      Not accepting feed

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis for CHD is based on the type and severity of the condition. Given below are few basic tests carried out to diagnose CHD.

Echocardiography – Popularly known as echo, it is a painless test in which sound waves are used to create a moving picture of the heart. During the test, the sound waves commonly known as ultrasound bounce off the structures of the heart. The computer then converts the sound waves into pictures on a screen.

Electrocardiogram – Popularly known as ECG, it is again a simple painless test that records the heart’s electrical activity. The test shows how fast the heart is beating and its rhythm whether it's steady or irregular. The ECG also takes into account the strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through the heart.

Pulse Oximetry – To conduct this test, a small sensor is attached to a finger or toe like an adhesive bandage. The sensor gives an estimate of how much oxygen is in the blood.

Chest X-Ray – It is a painless test that creates pictures of the structures in the chest, such as the heart and lungs. This test can show whether the heart is enlarged. It also can show whether the lungs have extra blood flow or extra fluid, a sign of heart failure.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment options for CHD can vary. Mentioned below are the treatment options for CHD in children.

·         Cardiac Catheterization: A repair without surgical opening in the chest wall and heart

·        Open-heart surgery: There are two surgical procedures; one is a minimally invasive surgery which repairs the openings in the heart chambers through the ribs; whereas the chest is opened in an open-heart surgery. Both are major procedures and require a significant recovery time for a child.

·         Heart Transplantation: Heart transplantation should be the last to go for. One should go for them only when the above-mentioned procedures are unsuccessful.

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