Things to know about congenital heart disease with purple

This article is professionally consulted by Resident Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Cyanotic congenital heart disease is an important disease in pediatric cardiology. The cyanosis is usually seen on the legs, arms, and lips and appears about 4-6 months after birth.

Cyanotic congenital heart disease is a rare condition caused by a combination of heart defects present after birth (congenital heart disease). These defects affect the structure of the heart causing oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and to the rest of the body. Cyanotic congenital heart disease is usually diagnosed during the fetal period or shortly after birth.

Early cyanotic heart disease due to cyanosis is a common clinical manifestation in this group of diseases, as a result of hypoxia in the blood. Some common malformations include Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, common trunk, dual outflow right ventricle, abnormal complete pulmonary venous return, absence of pulmonary valve foramen...
One Some congenital heart diseases with pure shunt have pulmonary hypertension with large shunts. As the child grows older, the pulmonary artery pressure increases, which changes the direction of the flow, resulting in blood not entering the pulmonary artery causing cyanosis (Eisenmenger's syndrome) such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and large ductus arteriosus, orifice. aortic fistula, arteriopulmonary fistula, vena cava empties into the left atrium (abnormal connection of the systemic veins)...

Cyanotic congenital heart disease occurs during fetal growth, when the baby's heart is developing. Although factors such as poor maternal nutrition, viral diseases or genetic disorders may increase the risk of developing this disease, in most cases the cause remains unclear.
While the exact causes of the disease are unknown, other factors may increase the risk of cyanotic congenital heart disease such as:
Having a viral disease during pregnancy, such as rubella Alcoholism during pregnancy Pregnancy Poor nutrition during pregnancy Due to Down syndrome or Digeorge syndrome.

Clinical symptoms: often children have cyanotic congenital heart disease: cyanosis right after birth with some children having cyanotic congenital heart disease early or after 3-4 months, several years. Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, constricted breathing, little feeding and continuous pauses when breastfeeding. Children a few months old or older will have more pronounced symptoms. Frequent coughing, wheezing and frequent pneumonia. In addition, the baby may have some accompanying symptoms such as physical retardation, pale skin, lips and toes, and fingers turning purple when the baby cries. Congenital heart defects can be accompanied by diseases related to chromosomal mutations such as Down, cleft lip, missing or extra toes, abnormal face...
Definitive diagnosis may use Use the following methods of laboratory exploration:
Color Doppler Echocardiography Echocardiograms typically use high-pitched sound waves to create images of the heart. This method is often used to diagnose cyanotic congenital heart disease. Echocardiography allows physicians to determine the type of lesion, prognosis, diagnosis, and contribute to treatment planning for children with congenital heart disease.
Fetal echocardiography (during the mother is pregnant) can detect heart defects, especially complex heart defects, from early pregnancy. From there, there is a plan to monitor and manage maternity as well as early support measures for babies right after birth.
Electrocardiogram An electrocardiogram records the electrical activity in the heart each time there is a contraction. In this method, electrodes are placed on the chest, wrists, and ankles. Electrodes measure electrical activity and record on paper the activity of the heart. This method helps doctors identify abnormalities in the size of the heart's chambers as well as the electrical disturbances that are common in cyanotic congenital heart disease.
Chest X-ray A chest X-ray can show the structure of the heart and lungs. Abnormalities of the heart shape, great vessels, and pulmonary perfusion may be seen.
Cardiac catheterization Doctors can use this method to evaluate the pressure, oxygen saturation of the heart's chambers and major blood vessels as well as structural abnormalities of the heart and plan treatment. by surgery. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a small, flexible tube into an artery or vein in your arm, groin, or neck and thread the catheter into your heart. Then, contrast dye is injected through the catheter to make the heart structure visible on X-ray images. Cardiac catheterization also measures pressure and oxygen levels in the heart chambers and in the blood vessels.

All babies with cyanotic congenital heart disease need surgery. If left untreated, it can affect your baby's growth and development. Your baby may have an increased risk of serious complications such as infective endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves. Some early cyanotic heart diseases require surgery or intervention immediately after birth or in the neonatal period.
Untreated cases of cyanotic congenital heart disease often develop serious complications over time that can lead to death or disability in adulthood.
Parents of children with congenital heart disease can bring their children to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination, diagnosis and treatment. Vinmec has a team of well-trained pediatricians, highly qualified and experienced in examining and treating diseases of infants, children and children under 16 years old. The system of modern and advanced medical equipment and professional service quality will support high efficiency in diagnosis and treatment for patients.
For detailed advice, please come directly to Vinmec Health System or book online.
References: mayoclinic.org