Heart Conditions in Children

Heart conditions in children are commonly associated with congenital heart disease, i.e., defects that prevent the heart from functioning normally and are present since birth. This article will explore how congenital heart disease occurs in children, the various types, and how parents can help manage their condition using the LOOKEE® Personal ECG / EKG Heart Monitor.

What Are The Causes

In certain instances, defects occur in the walls of the heart, such as a hole or an abnormality with the valves, such as being too narrow or blocked. This can cause problems such as the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood and the heart being unable to pump as efficiently as it should, leading to an inability to supply the body with oxygenated blood.

With congenital heart disease, heart defects like the ones mentioned above develop while the baby is still in the uterus. It is still uncertain what the primary causes are, but doctors suspect that genetics and a history of heart disease in the family could be possible factors. In rare cases, babies may suffer from heart problems following a viral infection.

Types of Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs)

Ebstein Anomaly

An Ebstein anomaly is an uncommon heart defect characterized by the abnormal formation of one of the heart’s four valves that occurs before a baby is born.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a heart condition whereby the left side of a baby’s heart does not form properly. It is usually much smaller and hence cannot pump blood adequately. The baby is required to undergo medical treatments and surgeries to fix the complications. In extreme instances, it might even need a heart transplant.

Atrioventricular Canal Defect

An atrioventricular canal defect (AV canal for short) has become known as a heart problem whereby the center part of a baby’s heart is not formed correctly before birth. The condition is also known as an atrioventricular septal defect or endocardial cushion defect.

Coarctation of the Aorta (COA)

A COA is referred to as the narrowing of the aorta. When this occurs, the major blood vessel cannot perform its usual function of carrying blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. This, therefore, results in the left side of the heart needing to produce higher output and pump harder to move blood through the aorta. Symptoms aren’t prominent. However, the condition may require surgery.

Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis occurs when the heart’s aortic valve is too stiff, narrow, or small, thus preventing it from functioning as normal.

Symptoms of aortic stenosis vary based on how narrow the valve becomes. Mild cases may not require treatment. However, children with severe aortic stenosis will undergo surgery so that the blood is not inhibited from flowing through the body properly.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a result of an extra blood vessel present in babies before or following birth. Normally, the extra blood vessel closes on its own the first few days after the baby is born. However, if it stays open longer, it can cause excess blood flow to the lungs.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Also known as having a hole in the heart, an atrial septal defect occurs when there is an unusual opening between the dividing walls of the atria. In the majority of cases, ASDs are treated with little to no complications.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect in which multiple defects alter how blood flows throughout the heart and lungs. To be treated, the condition requires open-heart surgery following birth or during infancy.

Portable ECGs To Monitor Cardiovascular Health

Portable ECG monitors can be used at home to keep track of heart health. They prove to be a convenient alternative to standard ECG tests. The LOOKEE® Personal ECG / EKG Heart Monitor allows adults and children to monitor irregular heartbeats that occur as a result of arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AFib), premature ventricular contraction (PVC), bradycardia & tachycardia.

The device comes with electrode pads that allow for a complete 5-minute ECG, just like one done in a doctor’s room. With the built-in phone and PC app, patients can get accurate readings of their heart’s performance on the spot. They can also convert the data into a PDF report to send to a cardiologist via email.

How Are Heart Defects Diagnosed & Treated?

Babies born with CHDs are treated by pediatric cardiologists and/or pediatric heart surgeons. Pediatric cardiologists specialize in treating heart problems experienced by children, and the latter focuses on children’s heart surgery,

In order to diagnose a heart condition, a specialist will perform a cardiac catheterization. This procedure involves inserting a catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart to evaluate it. In some instances, problems such as small ventricular septal defects do not require treatment, as they will heal as the baby gets older. They may be required to take certain medications, but surgery is not necessary. Babies with more severe defects may have to undergo a series of operations.

Wrapping Up

While heart problems are usually more common in older adults, it is not unheard of for children to experience them. Congenital heart disease includes heart defects that are present at birth and can severely impact a child’s lifestyle as they grow. If parents suspect their child may be experiencing heart complications, it is important to consider seeing a specialist and using portable EKGs to help take control of their child’s condition.