Frequently Asked Questions
Congenital means inborn or existing at birth. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects. A congenital cardiovascular defect occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart don’t develop normally before birth. A baby’s heart begins to develop at conception, but is completely formed by eight weeks into the pregnancy. Congenital heart defects happen during this crucial first eight weeks of the baby’s development. Specific steps must take place in order for the heart to form correctly. Often, congenital heart defects are a result of one of these crucial steps not happening at the right time
Most of the children are symptomatic and on clinical examination, one can hear heart murmurs. Apart from routine blood tests, X-Ray and ECG; Echocardiogram is the main investigative modality. Cardiac catheterization, CT and MRI Angio cardiogram supplement the diagnosis in difficult cases.
Pink babies with congestive heart failure can be treated with decongestive therapy and respiratory infections managed with antibiotics. Cyanosis and cyanotic spells are medical emergencies, should be treated with sedation, Oxygen and Metabolic correction. However, medical treatment is to stabilize the children and it is not a final treatment. Almost all children require surgery or catheter intervention, unless they have insignificant or most complex problem.
