Birth defects

Congenital Cardiac Birth Defects – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

About Congenital Cardiac Birth Defects – Overview

Congenital cardiac birth defects means that the baby was born with structural problems with the heart. It could be a variety of issues such as the heart’s blood pumping ability, the heart walls, blood vessels and valves. Most seen congenital heart defects are:

• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a condition where a hole forms in the upper chambers of the heart (atria).
• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is the opposite of ASD where the hole is in the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles).
• Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four heart defects.
• Coarctation of the aorta causes the narrowing of the aorta.

Early diagnosis through the period of pregnancy or immediately after birth using echocardiograms is the primary step. The earlier the treatment is started the better it is, which is usually a combination of medication, catheter procedures, or surgery. The good news is that with timely diagnosis and treatment many children with congenital cardiac birth defects live healthily.

At Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad, we offer special care and medical services for treatment, and long-term management of congenital cardiac defects.

What are the symptoms of Congenital Cardiac Birth Defects?

Congenital cardiac birth defects can present a variety of symptoms, which may vary depending on the type and severity of the defect. Common symptoms include:

• Infants may exhibit rapid or experience difficulty in breathing
• The skin, lips, or fingernails turn blue due to low supply of oxygen and this condition is known as cyanosis.
• Inconvenience during feeding.
• Poor weight gain or may not grow as expected.
• While feeding or sleeping there will be excessive sweating
• Abnormal heart sounds known as heart murmurs are detected during a physical examination.
• The infants are weak and look tired, fatigued

If any of the above symptoms are observed please take your baby to a heart specialist immediately.

What Causes Congenital Cardiac Birth Defects?

Congenital heart defects are a result of various factors and an exact clinical cause is not known. But most prominent causes are:

• Children born with Down syndrome or gene changes are at a higher risk of getting cardiac birth defects.
• If the mother has been exposed to harmful substances like alcohol or drugs during pregnancy then the baby might be born with heart related birth defects.
• If childhood heart issues run in the family then they are more likely to occur in the future children too.
• A combination of all the factors above also is a compelling reason.

During pregnancy mothers should have regular checkups and should not miss any scans or appointments. This will help in detecting any congenital heart conditions in the baby early on.

When is the right time to consult a doctor for Congenital Cardiac Birth Defects?

• Is your newborn experiencing difficulty in breathing or feeding?
• Are the baby’s nails, skin or toes turning bluish?
• Is your child growing as per usual norms?
• Is your child struggling with physical activity?
• Is there anyone in the family with congenital heart defects?

The quicker you take the child to the doctor, the higher their chances of getting cured.

How is Congenital Cardiac Birth Defect diagnosed?

Congenital cardiac birth defects are diagnosed through several methods:

• Prenatal Ultrasound or a detailed fetal echocardiogram is done to detect heart defects.
• As soon as the child is born doctors examine any abnormal heart sounds, blue skin, or breathing issues.
• In an echocardiogram sound waves are used to create the heart’s images.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) measures the heart’s electrical activity and detects any abnormalities in the heart’s rhythm.
• Chest X-ray is taken to assess the size and shape of the heart. The X-Ray also shows any fluid accumulation in the lungs.
• The doctors conduct cardiac catheterization to examine the heart and blood flow directly.
• In advanced cases if necessary MRI and CT Scans are done to provide detailed views of the heart and surrounding structures.

Expert doctors like Dr.Nithin Annarapu accurately diagnoses the child’s problems with either one or a combination of these methods. Immediately after diagnosis accurate and effective treatments are started.

Prevention Tips for Congenital Cardiac Birth Defects

Tips to Help Prevent Congenital Heart Defects

• Be very regular with your appointments, scans, ultrasounds and follow the doctor’s guidance.
• A minimum of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid during pregnancy is required to help prevent heart defects.
• Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins during pregnancy
• Do not take any alcohol and drugs during pregnancy.
• Manage any health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure.
• If there is any family history of heart defects, seek advice from a genetic counselor.
• Take the vaccines that are mandatory during pregnancy.
• Do not get exposed to environments filled with harmful chemicals, pesticides, or radioactive materials.
• Be calm and relaxed to seek support to manage stress.

All these steps are needed to ensure a healthy birth of the baby.

Treatment Options for Congenital Cardiac Birth Defects

Dr.Nithin Annarapu uses several treatment options for Congenital Heart Defects such as:-

• Continuous monitoring of the child for any mild defects.
• Medications can help control symptoms or improve heart function.
• Balloon angioplasty and stent placement can be tried to fix some defects.

Surgeries:

• Surgery to close the holes in the heart
• Surgery is performed to reconstruct the blood vessels.
• In severe cases heart transplants are done.

Statistics of children with congenital heart diseases

• As per Global, regional, and national epidemiology of congenital heart disease in children from 1990 to 2021 there are over 4.18 million children under five with congenital heart diseases. Since the 90’s there has been a 3.4% increase in the number of children with CHD. Due to advancements in diagnosis and treatments there has been a 56.2% decrease in CHD-associated mortality.
• According to Congenital Heart Disease in India: A Status Report there are 1.8 to 2 lakh children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) annually in India. In 1000 children born in India, there are roughly 8-10 children with heart disease. The mortality rate is 10%.

About Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad

Isha Specialty Clinic is the best Hospital in Manikonda for your heart care and child care. For all your heart related care we are a one stop solution. Our expert team of doctors and state of the art labs offer you comprehensive heart care services. When you visit us you will experience the best paediatric care, children nutrition advice and best cardiologist treatment in Hyderabad. Isha Specialty clinics are located at various convenient locations in Hyderabad such as Manikonda, Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Toli Chowki, Mehdipatnam, Narsingi, Alkapur township.

Our expert team of doctors

Dr. Nithin Annarapu – MBBS, MD – General Medicine, DM – Cardiology

Dr. Nithin Annarapu has more than a decade of heart care experience. 18 Years Experience Overall (12 years as heart specialist). Dr. Nithin Annarapu is an Interventional Cardiologist in Manikonda Hyderabad and has an experience of 18 years in heart treatment, surgeries and cardiac procedures. Dr. Nithin Annarapu Annarapu practicing at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, near Gachibowli in Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Siddhartha Medical College & Research in 2002, MD – General Medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 2006 and DM – Cardiology from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 2010.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty – MBBS (Osmania), MD (Niloufer) – Child and Newborn Specialist (Paediatric Doctor)

Dr. Swathy Talishetty is a top rated child care specialist. Dr.Swathy is an alumnus of Osmania Medical College where she completed her MBBS in 2007 and later on pursued her MD in Pediatrics from Niloufer Hospital in 2012. Dr Talishetty Swathi has specialized in:-

• Newborn and infant care
• Immunization
• Growth and development monitoring
• Preterm baby management
• Childhood overweight management.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty’s compassionate approach, combined with her in-depth knowledge of pediatric nutrition, enables her to offer comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs of children, ensuring their healthy growth and development. Get children treatment and pediatric nutrition consultation with Dr. Swathy Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, nearby Gachibowli and Narsingi areas in Hyderabad.

Major Treatments at Isha Speciality Clinics

Heart treatment

• Mitral valve replacement surgery
• Heart valve replacement and repair
• Coronary Angioplasty
• Coronary Angiogram
• Cardiac catheterization
• Angioplasty

Pain treatment

• Thoracic epidural injections
• Cervical epidural injections
• Intraarticular joint injections
• Nerve Block
• Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy
• Lumbar Epidural Injections

Pediatric Care

• Newborn and infant care
• Immunization
• Growth and development monitoring
• Preterm baby management
• Childhood overweight management.

For guidance and check-ups, call 96760 70203 today. Our expert cardiologists at Isha Specialty Clinic will guide you with personalized heart care plans.

For expert heart care, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

For emergency care or appointments, contact Isha Heart Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 7020 Dr. Nithin Annarapu Book an appointment today for expert heart care!