Symptoms of an infant's room septal defect

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Symptoms of ventricular septal defect in infants are as follows: 1. Symptoms: If the mother had intrauterine infections within the first three months of pregnancy, was exposed to significant amounts of radiation, took teratogenic medications, or had metabolic disorders, these factors could contribute to the condition. The patient is prone to recurrent respiratory infections and exhibits symptoms of palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and excessive sweating. If these symptoms worsen after physical activity or crying and are accompanied by cyanosis, congenital heart disease should be considered. Cyanosis can intensify during severe crying episodes, pneumonia, or heart failure in infants, and may be accompanied by a hoarse voice. 2. Physical signs: Notable findings include a bulging in the precordial area and diffuse apical impulse. A soft, systolic murmur can be heard between the second and third ribs along the left margin of the sternum.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Does a ventricular septal defect make it easier to catch a cold?

Mild atrial septal defects generally permit a normal life and do not easily cause colds. However, when pulmonary hypertension and heart failure occur with an atrial septal defect, it can lead to pulmonary congestion. At this point, bacterial colonization occurs, making respiratory infections more likely to develop. However, the colds we often refer to are upper respiratory tract infections, and atrial septal defects generally do not cause a decrease in immune system function. However, if the upper respiratory tract infection is not treated promptly, it can lead to bronchitis, lung infections, etc., often exacerbating heart failure associated with the atrial septal defect. Therefore, while an atrial septal defect does not cause colds, patients with an atrial septal defect should address colds early to prevent the onset of heart failure triggered by the cold.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can people with atrial septal defect run?

Atrial septal defect is a type of congenital heart disease. It is advised that patients avoid long-distance travel or running as these activities can increase the burden on the heart and also increase myocardial oxygen consumption. Surgical treatment is recommended for this condition. Patients with atrial septal defect may also experience symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness, and a murmur can be heard in the precordial area. If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended that the patient primarily rests and avoids participating in sports activities, especially running. Running can require a lot of oxygen, or cause a rapid heart rate. A rapid heart rate can lead to increased myocardial oxygen consumption and may result in compensatory symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. This situation is very dangerous and needs to be dealt with promptly; it is best to go to the hospital.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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How to treat atrial septal defect

Typical cardiac murmur ECG and X-ray findings may suggest the presence of an atrial septal defect. An echocardiogram can confirm the diagnosis, and it should be differentiated from conditions such as anomalous pulmonary venous return, pulmonary valve stenosis, and small ventricular septal defects. For the treatment of atrial septal defects, in adult patients, if echocardiographic evidence of increased right ventricular volume load is present, the defect should be closed as soon as possible. Treatment options include interventional and open-heart surgical procedures. Before the implementation of interventional surgeries, all cases of simple atrial septal defects that have caused hemodynamic changes, with signs of increased pulmonary blood flow, enlargement of the atria and ventricles, and corresponding ECG findings, should undergo surgical treatment. In older patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, surgical treatment should be approached with caution.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Can someone with an atrial septal defect get pregnant?

Whether patients with atrial septal defects can become pregnant depends on the following factors: 1. Whether the patient normally has symptoms. 2. Whether the echocardiography indicates heart enlargement or pulmonary hypertension. 3. The size of the atrial septal defect. 4. Whether there is a combination of arrhythmias such as atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation, and complications such as pulmonary hypertension or heart failure. For those without symptoms, and where the defect does not cause pulmonary hypertension or right heart enlargement, choosing to become pregnant is possible. Complications are not common in pregnant women with isolated atrial septal defects without pulmonary hypertension. Studies have shown that the incidence of complications in pregnant women, whether the defect is repaired or not, is relatively low. If the patient has related arrhythmias and complications, it should be closely monitored, because the cardiovascular system of the mother undergoes changes during pregnancy, leading to increased cardiac workload and a higher burden on the heart, which in turn can increase the incidence of arrhythmias. For women who are already at high risk of atrial flutter or fibrillation, this risk can increase further. Additionally, pregnant women are in an older physiological state, making it easier to form blood clots, and for those with atrial septal defects, the risk of paradoxical thrombosis increases.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Atrial septal defect should be consulted with the Department of Cardiology.

Atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart disease in childhood, and it is also the most common congenital heart disease in adulthood. The incidence rate of atrial septal defects is about 1/1500 live births, accounting for 5%-10% of all congenital heart diseases, and it is more common in females. Most children with atrial septal defect, in addition to being prone to respiratory infections such as colds, may have no obvious symptoms and their activities are not limited. It is generally not until adolescence that symptoms like shortness of breath, palpitations, and fatigue appear. Patients with atrial septal defects should seek treatment in departments such as cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, thoracic surgery, or pediatric cardiology.