ongenital heart diseases (CHD) are heart defects that are present since birth. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects and affect approximately eight out of 1,000 newborns.

These heart defects cause abnormal blood flow through the heart chambers and lungs, ultimately causing varied symptoms depending on the type of defect. Symptoms seen in newborn babies include rapid breathing, poor feeding, poor weight gain, bluish discolouration of the skin, and recurrent chest infections. Older children may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, inadequate growth compared to peers, bluish discolouration of nails and lips, and recurrent chest infections. Sometimes, children are completely asymptomatic, and defects are diagnosed during routine cardiac evaluations. This can happen when the defects are of mild or moderate severity, where the heart and other organs are tolerating the defect-related abnormal blood flow well at this stage. However, as age progresses, the symptoms can worsen as the heart starts weakening, and the heart cannot tolerate the heart defect any further.

There’s no known cause of congenital heart disease. Still, some factors can increase the likelihood of this condition, such as family history, exposure to certain infections during pregnancy, diabetes, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders, and substance abuse during pregnancy.

Parents need to understand that congenital heart defects are treatable conditions. Children with this condition can live long, healthy, and active lives with proper care and timely treatment. More than 95% of CHDs are simple heart defects requiring one-time non-surgical intervention or surgical repair, after which the child can lead a completely everyday life. A variety of treatment options are available for children with congenital heart disease.

Medical specialists, including pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, will work together to develop the best treatment plan for each child with congenital heart disease. The treatment plan may involve regular monitoring of the child’s condition, frequent check-ups, and regular echocardiograms, which are simple, non-invasive diagnostic tests to diagnose these heart defects.

In conclusion, it’s essential to recognise the symptoms of congenital heart disease in children and seek timely pediatric cardiologist opinions. Early detection and treatment can improve outcomes and prevent complications. With proper care, children with congenital heart disease can live healthy and fulfilling lives.