What Is A Congenital Heart Defect?
A congenital heart defect is one of the most common malformations during pregnancy. There are various causes for this, but most of them remain unknown.
Cardiopathy is the term used to describe different types of heart defects. Today’s article is about a congenital disease that is present before birth.
Then learn more about this topic.
Congenital heart defect
Anatomically, a distinction is made between different forms of congenital heart defects: There may be openings in the septum (between the right and left halves of the heart). The narrowing of valves or large blood vessels is also possible.
In addition, the heart chambers or blood vessels may not be sufficiently developed, or they may be in an abnormal position.
The baby’s life is usually at great risk in the first year of life if it has such a heart defect. However, with the right treatment, it can survive this condition.
According to the American Association of Pediatricians, around 1% -2% of babies are born with malformations. According to the American Heart Association, 9 out of 1,000 babies are born with a congenital heart defect.
These data show that it is a very common malformation.
Reasons for a congenital heart defect
Heart malformations can have various causes. The child’s heart forms gradually from conception and is fully developed by the eighth week of pregnancy.
At this point the malformation is already present.
Often times, the reasons why the heart is not developing properly are unclear. Possible causes, however, are viral diseases of the mother, drug use during pregnancy or hereditary diseases.
Types of congenital heart defects
In cardiology, heart defects are referred to as cyanotic or non-cyanotic causes. These can be recognized by the following complaints:
- Reduced blood flow in the lungs: As a result, the organism is supplied with too little oxygen, the child suffers from cyanosis, which means that the skin is bluish.
- Excessive blood flow in the lungs: The lungs are working too hard and the child’s blood pressure increases.
- Low blood flow in the body: This usually occurs when the blood vessels are blocked and the blood cannot flow properly.
Different heart defects often occur at the same time.
Treating a heart defect
Malformations can often be detected in the fetus in the womb. However, sometimes they go undetected until after birth.
After a thorough examination, the specialist will choose the right treatment. Cardiac surgery or interventions with the heart catheter may be necessary. Sometimes medication is sufficient.
