Congenital diseases refer to the entire gamut of health conditions that can be present in a baby since birth. Congenital diseases are most likely to affect a child’s cardiovascular system. Also known as congenital heart anomaly, these are mostly structural problems that can drastically impact the normal functioning of the heart. As per the doctors hailing from the best paediatric cardiology hospital in Delhi, most of the congenital heart diseases are inherited by the child from either of the two parents.
While some of these conditions are easily detected at the time of birth, there are several others that go unnoticed for many years. It is due to this reason that after a baby is born, it is examined thoroughly for any such defects. Sometimes your baby may show certain signs and symptoms that may indicate the prevalence of a chronic heart condition. Hospitals specializing in paediatric cardiac surgery in Delhi offer assessment and treatment for all kinds of congenital heart diseases.
Most of the congenital anomalies can be detected even before birth using fetal echocardiography which is performed during the second trimester of pregnancy i.e. during 18th to 24th week of pregnancy. This includes abdominal ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasound. Cyanotic heart disease is easily detected right after birth as infants suffering from these tend to develop bluish tone on their skin. Babies suffering from septal defect or obstruction defect do not show noticeable defects right after birth and these may become evident after several months or even years.
Paediatric cardiology treatment in Delhi has given a new ray of hope to many parents by offering more effective and specialised treatments based on the use of highly advanced techniques and cutting edge technology. In order to provide effective treatment, it is very important to determine the cause of the anomaly. Congenital heart conditions may be a result of unhealthy pregnancy marked by obesity, malnutrition, use of drugs, alcohol consumption, smoking and infections like rubella. Congenital heart defects can also be inherited from the parents. Certain genetic conditions like Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Marfan syndrome may also be held accountable for it.
Recent reports have shown that in the year 2015, around 48.9 million people were found to be suffering from congenital heart defects globally. Also, congenital heart defects are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths worldwide.
Although children suffering from congenital heart defects may show a variety of symptoms but there are certain symptoms which are exclusively associated with congenital anomalies. These are together known as VACTERL association.
V — Vertebral anomalies
A — Anal atresia
C — Cardiovascular anomalies
T — Tracheoesophageal fistula
E — Esophageal atresia
R — Renal (Kidney) and/or radial anomalies
L — Limb defects
VACTERL association can help to detect ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defects, and tetralogy of Fallot.
Hence proper examination at the time of birth is mandatory for the well being of your child and early detection of such anomalies.
