What happens if a baby has a hole in their heart?

What happens if a baby has a hole in their heart?

I am trying to explain in simple terms-

1) What happens if a baby has a hole in their heart at 20 weeks?

A hole in the heart of a baby is usually called Congenital Heart Defect (CHD). There are usually two types of holes—

ASD (hole between the upper two chambers of the heart)

VSD (hole between the lower two chambers of the heart)

What can be the result of this?

If the hole is small, it often closes on its own after birth

If the hole is large, the baby may have trouble breathing

Not gaining weight

Repeated pneumonia

Feeling tired quickly

If it is large, medicine or surgery may be required later

In modern medicine, in most cases, it is possible to completely cure it through surgery.

2) What is meant by “if half of the vein is missing”?

This usually means—

A blood vessel (artery/vein) in the heart is not formed properly

Or one side of the heart/vein is not completely formed

These are called Complex Congenital Heart Disease.

What can be the result of this?

The baby body does not receive enough oxygen

The baby may turn blue after birth

Sometimes emergency treatment or surgery is required immediately after birth

In some cases, multiple surgeries are required

3) What needs to be done now?

It is definitely important to do Fetal Echocardiography (a special heart test of the baby in the womb)

You need to see a pediatric cardiologist

They will clearly explain:

How serious is the problem

What treatment will be required after the baby is born

Is surgery possible or not

4) The good news

Many heart problems can now be successfully treated

If you know in advance, you can prepare for delivery and treatment well

Many babies live a normal life after treatment

What does it mean if one side of the heart/vein is not completely formed?

This is medically called Single Ventricle Defect / Hypoplastic Heart Syndrome.

This can mean—

The right or left side of the heart is not formed properly

Or the main blood vessel (vessel) connected to that side is small/underdeveloped

As a result, the heart cannot pump blood normally

Example:

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) – Small left side

Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS) – Small right side

What problems can this cause for the baby?

During pregnancy:

Many times, no major problems are seen during pregnancy

But the problem is considered serious

After birth:

The baby may turn blue

Has difficulty breathing

Cannot feed

Becomes very weak

Could become serious within 24–48 hours of birth

Because the body does not get oxygenated blood properly.

Is treatment possible?

Yes, but—

It requires multiple surgeries

Usually 3 surgeries:

Within the first few days after birth

At 4–6 months of age

At 2–4 years of age

These surgeries are performed in highly specialized heart centers.

What is the success rate?

Many babies survive and grow up in advanced centers

However, it is not an easy or minor surgery

Lifelong follow-up and some limitations may apply

What is the most important thing to do now during pregnancy?

Understand the Fetal Echocardiography report very clearly

Talk to a pediatric cardiologist + cardiac surgeon

Know in which country/center the operation is possible

Prepare the family mentally and medically

In some cases, doctors also advise whether to continue the pregnancy or not according to the severity of the disease—this is a very personal and difficult decision.

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What is the reason for the baby heart/vessels not developing properly?

1.Problems at the beginning of embryo formation

The baby heart is formed in the first 4–8 weeks of pregnancy

At this time, for some reason, the heart formation cannot be completed

Then one side of the heart or vessel remains small / half / incomplete

This is usually not due to any fault of the mother.

2.Genetic or chromosomal problems

In some cases, the baby may have a problem with the genes

For example:

Down syndrome

Trisomy 18 / 13

However, there is not always a genetic cause

3.If the mother has some health problems

Not in all cases, but the risk increases if—

Diabetes (especially if not controlled)

Thyroid problems

Fever or severe infection early in pregnancy

Some certain medications (without the advice of a doctor)

4.Environmental factors

Smoking

Alcohol consumption

Drugs

Exposure to toxic chemicals

5.In most cases, the cause is unknown

The real truth is—

In 70–80% of cases, the specific cause of this problem is not found.

It can be:

Natural

Due to a sudden change in genes

Without anyone fault