Recognizing Congenital Heart Disease in Children

Health

Congenital heart disease can occur in one in a hundred births. Psick this occur because heart structural abnormalities which appeared since baby is still in the womb.

This disease can interfere with the ability of your little one's heart to pump blood and distribute oxygen throughout the body. These conditions can interfere with growth and development, possibly even fatal. Although the exact cause is not known, there are several factors that can increase the risk of congenital heart disease in children.

Understanding Congenital Heart Disease Risk Factors

Most congenital heart disease is related to problems that occur in pregnancy, early in the development of the child's heart. There are various risk factors that can trigger congenital heart disease, including:

  • Rubella

    Having a rubella infection during pregnancy can cause problems in the development of the baby's heart. Therefore, it is important to check with a gynecologist before getting pregnant, so that they can be vaccinated to prevent dangerous infections such as rubella, or treatment if they have been infected.

  • Drugs

    Taking certain drugs during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including congenital heart defects. Among them is the treatment of hypertension group ACE inhibitorsstatins, cholesterol drugs, and acne medications that contain isotretinoin. Therefore, you should not take any medicine without a doctor's instructions.

  • Diabetes

    Diabetics who are pregnant are advised to control their blood sugar before attempting pregnancy. The goal is to reduce the risk of congenital heart defects. We recommend that you consult your condition with your doctor to get safe and correct information.

  • Drinking alcohol and smoking during pregnancy

    Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking or being second-hand smoke during pregnancy. This habit can increase the risk of various pregnancy disorders, including congenital heart defects in the baby in the womb.

  • Descendants

    In addition to some of the things above, heredity can also be a common trigger for children to experience heart disease. This condition can also be influenced by genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, Costello syndrome, or Edward's syndrome.

Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease

Symptoms of congenital heart disease can be recognized when doctors listen to abnormal sounds from the heart called heart murmurs. Parents should be more alert and alert if they find some symptoms such as:

  • The child has difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly.
  • Blue lips, tongue and nails (cyanosis).
  • Sweating excessively, especially when eating.
  • Difficulty eating or decreased appetite.
  • Weight loss, or difficulty gaining weight.
  • The pulse weakens.

If you find these symptoms in your child, you should immediately consult a doctor or pediatric cardiologist for proper and safe treatment.

Prevent Congenital Heart Disease

The key to preventing this disease lies in taking care of the baby since it was still in the womb or called prenatal care. Here are some steps of prenatal care that pregnant women can do:

  • Have a blood test before attempting pregnancy. This is useful for detecting various diseases that may interfere with pregnancy, for example the TORCH examination. That way, doctors can take the best steps to treat or prevent these diseases.
  • Avoid cigarette smoke, use of illegal drugs, or alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.
  • Consult your doctor first before taking any medicines to avoid dangerous side effects.
  • Pregnant women who have diabetes should try to control blood sugar levels so that they are always within limits
  • If you are 35 years old or have a high-risk pregnancy due to a medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you should have more frequent prenatal check-ups with your obstetrician.

If you find symptoms of congenital heart disease in your baby, don't hesitate to seek medical help immediately. The sooner you get help, the better your chances of recovery. In addition, children with congenital heart disease should always undergo regular check-ups with a cardiologist so that their condition is monitored and avoid dangerous risks.