Heart diseases of the children and its management
Rehnuma came to a paediatrician to consult about her 7 months old baby with the complaints of frequent cough and cold since birth, respiratory distress during feeding and playing. The paediatrician suggested that the baby had unusual sound on her chest and she should be evaluated by a paediatric cardiologist.
A paediatric cardiologist examined the baby, did the echocardiography and told them that the baby has unusual extra connecting blood vessel (patent ductus arteriosus) in her heart. Rehnuma was shocked and surprised that even children may have heart disease. The paediatric cardiologist assured her and treated the baby without any surgery. The baby is now healthy and having a normal life.
Heart diseases of the children are not rare in Bangladesh and the treatment is also available in some tertiary level hospitals. Heart diseases are of two categories. One is congenital heart disease which develops while in mother's womb, it may manifest just after birth or at any age of life. Another type is acquired heart disease which mostly happens due to other diseases.
Symptoms of congenital heart disease may include bluish baby just after birth in spite of giving oxygen; discolouration of skin and nails (cyanosis) and elevation of nails (clubbing); unusual feeding pattern of the baby (small feed — sleep pattern and small feed); tiredness during feeding, crying, playing or exercise; repeated cough, cold (pneumonia) and hospital admission/taking antibiotics for this; poor weight gain/development of the baby; palpitation/chest pain/unconsciousness; rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis.
There are a few ways to prevent the congenital heart disease. MMR vaccination prior to pregnancy should be taken. Consanguineous or early marriage should be avoided. Noxious medicine during pregnancy should not be taken. Control of maternal hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy is a must. Treatment of rheumatic fever in time will result in safe pregnancy.
Children with heart diseases are not burden of us. They have the right to live a normal life with happiness. Treatment of heart diseases of the children in time can give them beautiful life.
The writer is a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Dhaka.
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