The thought of heart conditions in your children/teens can be overwhelming. However, understanding these issues is key to feeling more empowered.
Cardio problems in children primarily fall into two main categories:
- Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
- Acquired heart disease
This guide demystifies these two types of heart diseases in children, underscoring why early consultation with cardiac sciences specialists can make a vital difference.
Exploring Congenital Heart Conditions Present From Birth
CHD refers to structural abnormalities within the heart’s chambers or its blood vessels. These abnormalities occur from birth because the crucial parts, like heart valves, arteries, or chambers, don’t fully develop during foetal growth in pregnancy, potentially altering normal blood flow pathways.
Some babies may have minor issues like small openings that resolve naturally, while others face complex defects requiring surgical correction or lifelong medical treatment.
These structural heart problems in children generally manifest in three key ways:
1. Holes in the heart: Common examples include Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) involving the upper chambers and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) between the lower chambers.
2. Obstructed blood flow: This can be due to narrowed heart valves, such as in aortic valve stenosis, which restricts blood leaving the heart.
3. Underdeveloped parts of the heart: A critical example is Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), where the left side of the heart is significantly underdeveloped.
More complex conditions involve multiple defects, such as:
- Tetralogy of Fallot—often includes a VSD and valve obstruction
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)—a defect where a vital foetal blood vessel fails to close properly after birth
Thankfully, many CHDs can be identified early. Let’s explore acquired heart diseases that can develop later in childhood in the following section.
Acquired Heart Problems in Children That Develop After Birth
Several types of heart disease in children and teens can develop after birth. These acquired heart diseases in your children/teens often emerge due to infections (like viruses), autoimmune responses, or other medical factors.
Key examples include:
Kawasaki Disease
Mainly affects children under five, causing blood vessel inflammation, especially in the coronary arteries. Watch for:
- Persistent high fever
- Rash, swollen hands and feet
- Reddened eyes, lips, and tongue
- Swollen lymph nodes, often in the neck
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Stems from untreated Group A Streptococcus (strep throat), leading to rheumatic fever, which can completely damage heart valves and muscles by causing myocardial infarction/muscle inflammation. Although rheumatic fever typically occurs between the ages of 5 and 15, the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease show up only in adulthood.
Myocarditis
The inflammation of the heart muscle/the myocardium, caused by:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Fungal, viral, or bacterial infections
- Reaction to medications
This heart problem in children can lead to arrhythmias, palpitations, fatigue, and lightheadedness. It can also cause fever, sore throat, and oedema of the feet and ankles.
Pericarditis
Occurs when the pericardium (the thin membrane surrounding the heart) becomes inflamed/infected. This condition further leads to fluid accumulation in the two heart layers and impacts the organ’s ability to pump blood.
Pericarditis can occur due to:
- Autoimmune disease
- Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
- Surgery to repair CHD
Arrhythmias
Irregular heartbeats impacting the heart’s ability to pump blood. Children are prone to supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), an abnormally fast heart rate. Other common types of arrhythmia seen in children include:
- Bradycardia/slow heart rate
- Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Children with arrhythmia often show signs of:
- Body fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Atherosclerosis
The buildup of plaque within the artery walls, causing narrowing and stiffness of the arteries, eventually leading to blood clots and heart attacks—though rare in youth.
Heart Murmurs
Abnormal noises occurring when the blood circulates through the heart valves or adjacent blood vessels. Although they are harmless, murmurs may indicate an underlying heart issue.
Next, we’ll discuss prenatal factors and the early diagnosis of congenital heart defects.
Also Read: Standard and Advanced Interventional Cardiology Procedures
Understanding Prenatal Risks and Protective Steps for Expectant Parents
Key prenatal tests and proactive steps include:
- Advanced ultrasound scans: Detailed imaging (typically around 18–22 weeks) to detect a significant percentage of major structural heart issues in the foetus
- Foetal echocardiography: Specialised heart imaging for high-risk cases, such as a family history of CHDs/abnormal findings on first-trimester screenings
Genetic counselling provides vital support when:
- Parents have heart abnormalities themselves
- Siblings have congenital heart conditions
- Ultrasound findings show possible defects in the foetus
Three proactive measures during pregnancy for foetal heart development:
1. Essential nutrients: Take 400 micrograms of folic acid (daily) before and during pregnancy to minimise CHD risk and support spinal cord development.
2. Risk avoidance: Eliminate alcohol consumption and smoking (including passive exposure) during pregnancy and preparation periods, as these are linked to structural malformations.
3. Scheduled check-ups: Ensure regular prenatal care visits to enable continuous health monitoring for both mother and baby and facilitate early problem detection.
Next, let’s explore the treatment options available for heart diseases in children.
Treatment of Heart Diseases in Children
There are various treatment options for children with heart diseases:
- Balloon valvuloplasty to correct the narrowing of the heart valves/stenosis
- Ross procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve with the patient’s pulmonary valve—later replaced by a donor’s pulmonary valve
- Aortic valve replacement to replace a diseased aortic valve with a mechanical/biological valve
Partnering With Professionals for Your Child’s Heart Well-Being
Heart conditions in children and teens require prompt consultation. With existing advanced treatments, many can lead full, active lives.
At Porunai Hospitals, a leading multispeciality hospital in Tirunelveli, they deliver expert treatment options and care for paediatric cardiology concerns. Strong hearts begin with early care!
