At birth, or later in childhood, children can develop different heart conditions that affect their health to varying degrees. To address this, a pediatric cardiologist helps with the diagnosis and treatment that these children may need.
What Does a Pediatric Cardiologist Do?A pediatric cardiologist specializes in caring for children with congenital heart disease, heart conditions that develop while the baby is still in the womb, or that arise after birth.
This specialist can diagnose and treat heart conditions in children, such as holes in the heart’s chambers, abnormal blood vessels, or issues with the heart valves. They also treat abnormal heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias.
A pediatric cardiologist works closely with the child’s primary pediatrician to provide comprehensive, coordinated care that takes the child’s overall health into account.
Depending on the type of condition, a broader care team may be formed, including pediatric heart surgeons and other pediatric subspecialists, who work together to provide expert, well-rounded care for the child.
When Should a Child See a Pediatric Cardiologist?It’s important to understand that children aren’t just “small adults”, they’re individuals still going through development. That’s why it’s important for them to be seen by a specialized doctor.
There are different stages of childhood development where certain symptoms or characteristics may signal the need for a pediatric cardiology consultation.
One of the key moments when the need for this specialist is identified is right at birth, through newborn screening, which can detect certain congenital conditions present from birth.
However, some symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually as the child grows, so it’s important to schedule a consultation if a child experiences fainting, chest pain, excessive fatigue, difficulty breathing, or noticeable delays in growth.
Having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean a child has a heart condition, but it’s important to have a pediatric cardiologist evaluate them.
Types of Heart Conditions in Children Treated by a Pediatric CardiologistA heart condition is essentially any disease affecting the heart. In children, these conditions can be congenital, present from birth, or acquired, developing later during childhood for various reasons.
A pediatric cardiologist can treat a range of conditions, including:
- Abnormal connections: normal heart connections allow blood to flow properly, but abnormalities, holes, or other structural issues can cause blood volume distribution to be either too low or too high, which can lead to various health problems for the child.
- Congenital heart defects: there are various congenital heart defects that can affect the structure or function of the heart.
- Congenital valve problems: heart valves allow blood to flow into the heart or into the blood vessels; if any of these valves malfunction, blood won’t flow properly.
Find a pediatric cardiologist at ABC Medical Center’s Pediatric Heart Center and get specialized care. Contact us!
