Heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting about 1% of newborns (40,000 births) in the United States each year. Fortunately, those born with such defects can live long and healthy lives, especially with prompt medical care.
With offices in Tampa and Lutz, Florida, Muthu Velusamy, MD, FACC, ABVM, and our team at Cardiovascular Institute of America can expertly care for your little one’s heart condition.
Knowing the early signs of heart problems can make a big difference in your baby’s long-term health outcomes. Here’s a quick breakdown of five common infant heart defects, what to watch for, and how they’re typically treated.
An infant heart defect is a problem with the way a baby’s heart forms, or its structure. These defects often prevent normal blood flow. Examples of infant heart defects include a hole in the heart wall, problems with blood vessels, and issues with heart valves.
Some infant heart defects aren’t life threatening, while others can be without proper expert care. That’s why early detection of heart problems in babies is critical.
Common infant heart defects include:
Cyanotic congenital heart disease reduces the amount of oxygen a baby’s heart can deliver, leading to low blood oxygen saturation. This defect often requires surgical treatment.
For example, left heart obstructive lesions reduce blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body. Right heart obstructive lesions can reduce blow flow between the heart and lungs. Sometimes a baby has arteries that are in the wrong place, or one main artery instead of two.
Babies are sometimes born with a hole in their heart. Smaller holes might close on their own over time, while a larger hole may need a medical procedure to correct the defect.
The aorta is a main artery carrying blood away from the heart to the other parts of the body. If a baby’s aorta is too narrow, it can restrict blood flow and potentially overwork the heart. Surgery or catheterization can repair this defect and reduce your baby’s risk of complications.
Heart valves open and close to help regulate cardiac blood flow. Insufficient blood flow can result if a valve doesn’t function properly. Sometimes a heart valve only has two flaps instead of three. A valve that doesn’t close all the way can cause reduced blood flow out of an infant’s heart, leading to poor circulation.
The pulmonary artery carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs to pick up fresh oxygen. When this artery is too narrow (stenosis), the heart has to work harder and can become damaged. Narrowing also makes it difficult for blood to reach your baby’s lungs.
Medical treatments can sometimes help, but babies with pulmonary artery stenosis may require a surgical procedure.
The following symptoms may indicate an infant heart defect:
Dr. Velusamy completes a comprehensive evaluation, including diagnostic imaging tests as needed, to determine if your infant has a congenital heart defect.
Cardiovascular Institute of America offers chest X-rays, echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, ultrasounds, catheterization, MRIs, and other diagnostic procedures to confirm a diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.
Depending on the nature and severity of your newborn’s heart defect, Dr. Velusamy may suggest watchful waiting, activity restriction, medications, non-surgical procedures, or surgery. He tailors treatment recommendations to offer the best possible outcome.
If you’re worried that your baby may have a heart defect, schedule a cardiology evaluation with Dr. Velusamy at Cardiovascular Institute of America at one of our three Tampa-area locations: We have one office in Lutz and two in Tampa, Florida. Contact us by phone today, or request an appointment online at your convenience.
