Your baby's first few days of life are precious. You've looked forward to
bonding with your newborn, sharing photos and getting ready for
the trip home. What you might not have imagined is hearing that your baby's heart is not working correctly.
A heart problem present at birth is called a congenital heart defect (CHD). The good news is that timely treatment and follow-up care can help kids born with heart defects enjoy long, healthy lives.
If you're worried about your unborn baby's heart, or your child has already been diagnosed with a CHD, here's what you need to know.
What causes congenital heart defects (CHDs)?
Scientists are still working to answer this question, but
family genes often play a role. Studies show that a child's risks for congenital heart defects are 3 times higher if parents or siblings have one too.
Research also suggests that
genetics alone do not cause most congenital heart defects. The birth parent's health and environment can come into play, too. Conditions linked with CHDs include:
How can a heart defect affect my child's well-being?
Because our hearts pump life-giving blood to every cell in our bodies, this organ is essential for good health. In childhood, congenital heart defects can interfere with growth, development, exercise and nutritional needs. Later in life they can elevate risks for
heart attack,
stroke,
irregular heart rhythm, breathing and kidney problems,
mental health issues or cancer.
CHDs can also affect a child's
learning potential, leading to school and career struggles. Relationships with family and friends to neighbors, employers and others may suffer too.
What are the different types of congenital heart defects?
To understand congenital heart defects, it's helpful to look at how the heart works.
Valves, or doors, open and close to allow the blood to flow appropriately through the heart. Inside, two
chambers receive blood that needs oxygen, sending it to the lungs for a recharge. Two other chambers take in oxygen-rich blood from the lungs, moving it into large tubes (arteries) that feed smaller vessels that carry it through the body.
When these structures are abnormal at birth, a child's heart may struggle to do its job. In fact, 1 of every 4 babies born with CHDs will need surgery to survive.
Some of the more common congenital heart defects include:
How do doctors find congenital heart defects?
Some congenital heart defects are discovered even before babies are born. In other cases, they're found when a newborn's oxygen levels are tested, or later during a regular exam. Here are some of the tools used to diagnose CHDs.
Echocardiography (echo) uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart. Echo exams during pregnancy are sometimes used to screen for heart defects before birth.
Pulse oximetry uses a small device fitted to the finger, earlobe, forehead or other part of the body to see how much oxygen is in the blood. This test is often used as an early indicator that a newborn's heart is doing its job.
Electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG) let doctors study the rhythm of the heartbeat to make sure it's regular and healthy.
Chest x-rays can reveal an
enlarged heart. They can also show whether the lungs are holding too much blood or fluid – a possible sign of
heart failure.
Cardiac MRI can confirm a heart defect or help your child's care team keep track of heart function as your child grows.
Cardiac catheterization measures the pressure and oxygen level inside heart chambers and blood vessels. This can help doctors see whether blood is flowing in the right direction, making its way from the heart to the rest of the body.
How are heart defects treated in children?
Some children with congenital heart defects will not need treatment.
These kids may be referred to a specialist who will monitor their heart defect and function over time. In other cases,
surgery or
catheterization may be needed to repair the defect or reduce its impact.
Keep in mind that surgery isn't a one-step cure for all heart defects.
Some kids will need additional surgeries or medications (or both) to keep their hearts working smoothly. Fortunately, there are many ways of helping the heart do its job. Your child's medical team will guide you in putting together a care plan that adapts as your child grows.
A healthy lifestyle matters, too.
Here are
practical ways your family can eat better, move more and manage stress for long-term heart health.
If I have a congenital heart defect and I'm planning a family, what do I need to know?
Make sure your medical team knows about your heart defect.
They can recommend next steps, which may include
genetic counseling and testing. If you are already pregnant, your care team will monitor the baby's heart and discuss any concerns with you. This article gives
detailed advice for pregnant parents with CHDs.
Take excellent care of yourself.
You can reduce your child's chances of being born with a CHD by eating well, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco. (If you smoke,
try to quit.) If you live with diabetes, follow your medical management plan to the letter. Talk with your care team about prescriptions and chemicals you should avoid.
Address your stress.
It's natural to worry about your unborn child's heart, but staying calm is the healthiest choice for both of you. Here are
tips for easing stress while you look forward to meeting your newborn.
More information