Tetralogy of Fallot Clinical Symptoms

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 14, 2024
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The clinical manifestations of Tetralogy of Fallot include cyanosis, with cyanosis being the primary symptom. The severity of cyanosis is related to the extent of pulmonary stenosis and is commonly seen in areas rich in capillaries, such as the lips, fingertips, nail beds, and conjunctiva, where it appears more pronounced during physical activity or crying. Secondly, the squatting symptom is observed; children may show squatting behavior during walking or playing, often squatting down voluntarily for a moment. During squatting, the flexion of the lower limbs reduces the venous return to the heart, lightening the cardiac load and decreasing the right-to-left shunting, thereby alleviating hypoxia. Thirdly, clubbing of the fingers occurs due to long-term hypoxia, leading to hypertrophic growth at the fingertip and toe ends. Fourthly, paroxysmal hypoxic attacks occur.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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How is Tetralogy of Fallot classified in terms of severity?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex congenital heart disease in children, characterized early by cyanosis in the face. The severity of symptoms, which often correlate with the level of pulmonary stenosis, includes cyanosis primarily appearing in regions with abundant capillaries such as the lips, nail beds, and bulbar conjunctiva. This cyanosis worsens with crying or physical activity. Additionally, the presence of squatting behaviors is indicative of more severe conditions. Frequent squatting suggests a substantial disease burden, as bending the legs while squatting reduces the volume of venous return, thereby decreasing the cardiac load and temporarily relieving hypoxic symptoms. In severe cases, symptoms can escalate to paroxysmal respiratory distress and loss of consciousness, often triggered by nursing or vigorous crying. Such difficulties can lead to severe spells including unconsciousness and seizures, primarily due to spasm in the muscular area at the base of the pulmonary artery, causing stenosis. Early detection and treatment of these conditions are crucial to prevent manifestations of heart failure.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot Common Symptoms

The clinical manifestations of Tetralogy of Fallot include, firstly, cyanosis as the primary clinical symptom. The degree and onset of cyanosis are related to the severity of pulmonary stenosis, and it often appears in areas with abundant capillaries such as lips, fingers, toes, nail beds, and bulbar conjunctiva. Secondly, squatting symptoms are common among children; they often spontaneously squat for a while during walking or playing. Squatting, with the legs bent, reduces the venous return and thus decreases the load on the heart, temporarily relieving symptoms of hypoxia by reducing the right-to-left shunt. Thirdly, clubbing occurs due to long-term hypoxic conditions, which can cause capillary dilation and proliferation in the fingers and toes, and the local soft tissues and bones also grow and enlarge; fourthly, paroxysmal hypoxic attacks, which are most common in infants, can be triggered by breastfeeding, crying, emotional excitement, or anemia. These attacks suddenly occur and can lead to severe symptoms including difficulty breathing, fainting, convulsions, and even death.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
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Can someone with Tetralogy of Fallot have a second child?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital cardiac defect that has not been found to have a definite genetic relationship, meaning no chromosomal abnormalities have been discovered. However, congenital heart disease does tend to occur within families to a certain extent, indicating some level of familial predisposition. The primary cause, however, is believed to be related to viral infections during the first three months of pregnancy or the use of certain medications. Therefore, we believe that parents of a child with Tetralogy of Fallot can consider having a second child.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can Tetralogy of Fallot be cured?

Tetralogy of Fallot consists of four types of cardiac malformations: first, a ventricular septal defect; second, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction; third, an overriding aorta; and fourth, right ventricular hypertrophy. The main treatment for this condition is surgical repair. In recent years, there have been continual advancements in surgical procedures. Many children undergo a definitive one-stage surgery in early childhood, which can completely cure the condition. Thus, if the symptoms are mild, a definitive surgery can be performed in one stage. If the symptoms are more severe, a palliative shunt surgery may be performed first, followed by the definitive surgery when the general condition improves, and it can still be cured.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
59sec home-news-image

Tetralogy of Fallot Clinical Symptoms

The clinical manifestations of Tetralogy of Fallot include cyanosis, with cyanosis being the primary symptom. The severity of cyanosis is related to the extent of pulmonary stenosis and is commonly seen in areas rich in capillaries, such as the lips, fingertips, nail beds, and conjunctiva, where it appears more pronounced during physical activity or crying. Secondly, the squatting symptom is observed; children may show squatting behavior during walking or playing, often squatting down voluntarily for a moment. During squatting, the flexion of the lower limbs reduces the venous return to the heart, lightening the cardiac load and decreasing the right-to-left shunting, thereby alleviating hypoxia. Thirdly, clubbing of the fingers occurs due to long-term hypoxia, leading to hypertrophic growth at the fingertip and toe ends. Fourthly, paroxysmal hypoxic attacks occur.