ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Congenital heart diseases

What is Congenital heart diseases?

11:59 - 9 April , 2021

Disease

They are a group of conditions characterized by the appearance of structural defects in the heart from birth. Currently, they are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns. 

According to figures from the American Heart Association, 8 out of every 1,000 newborns in the world have congenital heart disease. 

Main causes:

Although there are multiple origins of congenital heart diseases, and in some cases are still unknown, there are some factors that can increase their probability, such as:

  • Family history of congenital heart disease.
  • If the mother has or had diabetes.
  • If the mother consumed alcohol, drugs, and/or certain drugs during pregnancy.
  • If the mother is HIV carrier or has AIDS.

Signs and symptoms Congenital heart diseases

In many cases of congenital heart disease, specific signs and symptoms are not present and are likely to go unnoticed. However, there could be some such as:

  • Pale or bluish skin.
  • Fatigue.
  • Irregular heart rate.
  • Inflammation of organs and tissues.
  • Respiratory problems.

Diagnosis and treatment Congenital heart diseases

Although most cases are timely diagnosed, even before birth, there are children who could be diagnosed later in their development.

Some of the most frequent diagnostic studies are chest x-ray, EKG, and cardiac ultrasound to observe abnormalities and analyze their severity. 

Treatment options:

Congenital heart diseases vary widely, with some conditions being able to correct themselves during the development phase or be treated with medications. However, there are also more complex cases that may require surgical intervention. 

It is important to point out that it will always be essential to follow up the treatment through specialized doctors to observe improvements and prevent complications. 

At ABC we have the Pediatric Heart Center where, together with Kardias, we care for children with congenital heart disease thanks to the participation of a multidisciplinary medical team trained to offer timely diagnosis and treatment. Come to us, we want to hear your heart.

Fuentes: 

  • Stanford Children’s Health
  • fundación española del corazón
  • sociedad española del corazón
  • medigraphic.org
  • Armas LM, Sierra RE, Rodríguez CY, et al. Morbilidad y mortalidad neonatal por cardiopatías congénitas. Rev Cubana Pediatr. 2019;91(1):1-10. 
  • Colectivo de a autores. Neonatología: Diagnóstico y tratamiento. Afecciones cardiovasculares: Enfoque diagnóstico de las cardiopatías congénitas. La Habana: Editorial Ciencias Médicas; 2012.
  • Santacruz SS, Haro AME, Anzaldo CMC, et al. Correlación de diagnósticos ecocardiográficos, angiotomográficos y quirúrgicos en niños con diagnóstico de cardiopatía congénita. Anales de Radiología México. 2019;18(1):12-17.
  • Webb GD, Smallhorn JF, Therrien J, Redington AN. Cardiopatías congénitas. En: Bonow R0, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P. Braunwald E, editores. Tratado de Cardiología. Texto de medicina cardiovascular. Cardiopatías congénitas. 9na edición. España: Elsevier España, S.L.; 2013. p. 1430-44.

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