HEART DISEASES IN BABIES AND CHILDREN

Heart diseases in babies are estimated to be between 8 and 10 per 1000 live births in Malaysia. They are detectable during pregnancy in the growing fetus by ultrasound or may manifest after birth as bluish discolouration of lips and body, additional heart sounds, rapid breathing, poor feeding and weight gain. The spectrum of heart diseases ranges from holes in the heart walls, narrowed blood vessels, abnormal arrangement or drainage of blood vessels, abnormal heart valves to complex heart diseases.

Assessment of these babies by a Paediatric Cardiologist is important to determine the type of heart disease and its management. Tests performed are chest x-ray, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram (heart ultrasound).CT scan or MRI of the heart are required for complex heart diseases. Treatment ranges from regular follow up with / without medications, hospital admission to surgery. Optional vaccines like pneumococcal, influenza and RSV vaccine are recommended.

Heart diseases in children may present with chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, reduced effort tolerance and swelling in the face / legs. These heart diseases may have been present at birth but detected later in childhood or could be related to abnormal chemicals in the bloodstream, abnormal heart rhythm, infection, trauma to the chest wall during sports and Kawasaki disease. Common tests that would be performed are chest x-ray, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. Blood tests, CT scan or MRI of the heart may be required too. Regular follow up with or without medications is important. Hospital admission and surgery may be required.