Recognize Congenital Heart Disease in Children

Congenital heart disease can occur in one in a hundred births. This disease occurs because of abnormalities in heart structure that appear since the baby is still in the womb. This disease can interfere with your child's heart's ability to pump blood and oxygen delivery throughout the body. These conditions can interfere with growth and development, and even possibly fatal. Although the exact cause is unknown, there are several factors that can increase the risk of congenital heart disease in children.

Understanding the Risk Factors for Congenital Heart Disease

Most of the congenital heart disease is related to problems that occur in pregnancy, early in the development of a child's heart. There are various risk factors that can trigger congenital heart disease, including:

• Rubella

Having rubella infection during pregnancy can cause problems in the development of the baby's heart. Therefore it is important to see a gynecologist before pregnancy, so that vaccinations can be given to prevent dangerous infections such as rubella, or treatment if it has been infected.

• Drugs

Taking certain medications during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including congenital heart defects. Among these are the treatment of hypertension, ACE inhibitors, cholesterol drugs, statins, and acne medications that contain isotretinoin. Therefore, you should not take any medication without doctor's instructions.

• Diabetes

Pregnant diabetics are advised to control blood sugar before attempting pregnancy. The goal is to reduce the risk of congenital heart defects. It is best to consult your condition with your doctor to get safe and accurate information.

• Drink alcohol and smoke during pregnancy

Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking or becoming passive smokers during pregnancy. This habit can increase the risk of various pregnancy disorders, including congenital heart defects in babies in the womb.

• Heredity

In addition to some of the above, heredity can also be a common trigger for children experiencing heart disease. This condition can also be influenced by genetic problems that can be passed down across generations.

Congenital Heart Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of congenital heart disease can be recognized when doctors listen to abnormal sounds from the heart which are called heart noises. Parents need to be more alert and alert if they encounter several symptoms such as:

• Children find it difficult to breathe or breathe quickly.
• Bluish lips, tongue and nails (cyanosis).
• Excessive sweating, especially when eating.
• Difficulty eating or decreased appetite.
• Weight loss, or weight gain is difficult.
• Weakening pulse.

If you find these symptoms in your child, you should immediately consult a doctor to get appropriate and safe treatment.

Prevents Congenital Heart Disease

The key to preventing this disease lies in the care of infants since they are still in the womb or called prenatal care. Here are some prenatal care steps that pregnant women can take:

• Underwent blood tests before attempting pregnancy. This is useful for detecting various diseases that might interfere with pregnancy, for example TORCH examination. That way, doctors can take the best steps to overcome or prevent these diseases.
• Avoiding cigarette smoke, the use of illegal drugs, or alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.
• Consult with your doctor first before taking any medication to avoid dangerous side effects.
• Pregnant women who have diabetes should try to control blood sugar levels so that they are always within limits
• If you are a 35-year-old pregnant woman or have a high-risk pregnancy due to medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you should do prenatal checks more often at your obstetrician.

If you find symptoms of congenital heart disease in your baby, do not hesitate to seek medical help immediately. The sooner he gets help, the greater the chance for recovery. In addition, children with congenital heart disease should always undergo routine check-ups with a cardiologist so that their condition is monitored and protected from dangerous risks.