What is the most common cause of heart problems for children newborns?
What causes heart failure in a child? The most common cause of heart failure in children is a heart defect that is present at birth (congenital). Other causes include: Heart muscle disease or enlargement of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
What are the symptoms of heart problems in babies?
Congenital heart disease can have a number of symptoms, particularly in babies and children, including:
- rapid heartbeat.
- rapid breathing.
- swelling of the legs, tummy or around the eyes.
- extreme tiredness and fatigue.
- a blue tinge to the skin or lips (cyanosis)
- tiredness and rapid breathing when a baby is feeding.
How early can you detect heart defects?
Congenital heart disease may initially be suspected during a routine ultrasound scan of the baby in the womb. Specialist ultrasound, called foetal echocardiography, will then be carried out at around 18 to 22 weeks of the pregnancy to try to confirm the exact diagnosis.
What is the most common defect found that is a congenital defect?
1. Ventricular septal defect. Ventricular septal defect occurs in 2 to 7 percent of all live births and accounts for about 20 percent of all congenital heart defects, according to the American Heart Association. It’s the most common congenital heart defect among newborns, according to the American Heart Association.
Are babies with heart defects born early?
Congenital heart defects Although they are not found only in premature babies, some heart defects may put a baby at risk for premature birth. Despite advances in ultrasound and other imaging technologies, congenital heart defects usually only become apparent after birth.
Why are some babies born with a defective heart?
Some babies have heart defects because of changes in their individual genes or chromosomes. CHDs also are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as things in the environment, the mother’s diet, the mother’s health conditions, or the mother’s medication use during pregnancy.
Why are some babies born with heart problems?
Down’s syndrome – a genetic disorder that affects a baby’s normal physical development and causes learning difficulties
Why do babies have a high heart rate?
– Shortness of breath – Lightheadedness – Rapid pulse rate – Heart palpitations — a racing, uncomfortable or irregular heartbeat or a sensation of “flopping” in the chest – Chest pain – Fainting (syncope)
What causes heart defects in babies?
Rubella (German measles). Having rubella during pregnancy can cause problems in your baby’s heart development.