WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
About 40,000 babies are born in the United States each
year with an abnormal heart. Nearly 9,000 of these babies have
a problem called a ventricular (ven-TRICK-u-ler) septal
(SEP-tul) defect or VSD. It is one of the most common defects
of the heart. In VSD, there is a hole in the wall that
divides the lower right and left parts of the heart. The hole
can be small or large. Because of it, arteries and veins going
to your child's lungs must work harder to pump more
blood.
Causes
It is not known what causes a VSD. It may be inherited.
It can also be caused by an infection or use of drugs or
alcohol early in the pregnancy. The heart forms during the
first 14 to 60 days of pregnancy.
Signs/Symptoms
Are different for every child.
Some children have no symptoms because their VSD is small.
Other children may grow slowly, not gain enough weight, have
little energy, get frequent colds, and have problems
breathing.
Care
Treatment depends on how large
the hole is, and the age and health of your child. No care may
be needed if the defect is small. The hole may close on its
own. However, children with a large defect may need surgery
right away. Your child may be put in the hospital to have more
heart tests.
Risks
Ventral septal defect can be
fatal. The risks of serious illness or death are smaller if you
follow your doctor's suggestions.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Ask your doctor when you should return for a checkup.
Always give your child the medicines exactly as
prescribed.
-
Talk to your doctor about your child's activity at
home, in day care, or in
school.
-
If your child is older, he or she will need to take
antibiotics before and after dental work is done. They are
needed to prevent development of an infection inside the
heart.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
Your child has a high
temperature.
-
Your child is not eating or drinking as usual, or is
fussy.
Seek Care Immediately
If...
-
The child has trouble breathing, the skin between the
ribs is being sucked in with each breath, or the lips or
nailbeds are turning blue or white.
Call 911 or O (operator) for
help.
IF YOU'RE HEADING TO THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include the child's
temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting heartbeats),
and respirations (counting breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to the child's heart and lungs. Blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around the
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: Your child may be hooked up to a
pulse oximeter (ox-IM-ih-ter). It is placed on the ear,
finger, or toe and is connected to a machine that measures
the oxygen in your child's
blood.
-
Oxygen: May be given using nasal prongs or a face
mask.
-
IV: A tube placed in your child's vein for giving
medicines or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing
connected to it.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your child's
hand or from the bend in his or her elbow. Tests will be
done on the blood.
-
Blood Gases: Blood is taken from an artery in your
child's wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested to see how
much oxygen it contains.
-
Chest X-ray: This is a picture of your child's heart
and lungs. The care givers use it to see how your child's
heart and lungs are handling the
illness.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-LEK-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your child's chest are hooked up to a TV-type
screen. This screen shows a tracing of each
heartbeat.
-
12 Lead ECG: This test makes tracings from different
parts of your child's heart. It can help your doctor gage
the seriousness of the problem.
-
ECHO: Also called an echocardiogram
(ek-oh-CAR-dee-o-gram). This uses sound waves to view your
child's heart as it beats. It can help the doctor assess
the problem.
-
Cardiac Catheterization (cath-uh-ter-i-ZAY-shun): A
test used to study the arteries sending blood to your
child's heart.
-
Diuretic Medicine (di-your-ET-ic): This medicine
increases the child's urine output. It will get rid of
extra fluid in the body or
lungs.
-
Surgery: An operation may be needed if your child's
heart problems are serious.
-
Emotional Comfort and
Support:
-
You may stay with your child to give comfort and
support. Children feel safer in the hospital if parents
are close by.
-
As a parent, you may feel scared, confused, and
anxious about your child's heart problem. You may blame
yourself and think you have done something wrong. To work
out these feelings, talk about them with your doctor or
someone close to you.
-
Ask your doctor about support groups for parents
who have children with heart
problems.
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