Heart disease in children
A significant increase in medical advances has been observed in the field of pathology the heart children in recent years. Many children suffer from it heart disease، Whether these diseases are congenital or acquired, this means that the child may be exposed to these diseases as a result of certain factors.
Medical advances have made significant progress in the treatment of heart disease in children. Surgical techniques have witnessed a remarkable development, which contributes to the provision of superior healthcare. New treatments have also been developed that contribute to improving the condition of children with these diseases.
In addition, the availability of specialized pediatric hospitals plays an important role in improving healthcare. Dealing with children and their heart conditions requires sensitivity and special attention. These hospitals provide the expertise and resources necessary to meet the needs of this age group and provide the quality healthcare they deserve.
In short, it can be said that medical developments in the field of pediatric cardiology have contributed to improving health care and increasing the chances of recovery for these children.
When do symptoms of heart disease appear in children?
In children, heart disease symptoms can appear at different ages, depending on the type and severity of the disease. There are forms of heart disease that are diagnosed before birth or during pregnancy using fetal cardiac ultrasound.
Some babies show symptoms of heart disease immediately after birth. These symptoms may include difficulty breathing, cyanosis of the skin, difficulty feeding, fatigue and poor growth. These symptoms can be due to the presence of congenital heart defects such as valvular stenosis or ventricular atrophy.
Some heart diseases in children may not show symptoms clearly in the early stages. They may be discovered incidentally during routine check-ups or after non-specific symptoms such as excessive fatigue, difficulty breathing during physical activity, or chest pain.
It is important to note that this information is general, and the symptoms and prognosis of heart disease vary depending on the type of disease and the characteristics of the individual case. If you suspect that your child has heart problems, you should consult a pediatrician or a pediatric cardiologist to evaluate the condition and conduct the necessary tests.
In some cases, an ultrasound of the heart is recommended (Ichocardiography) during pregnancy. This examination is used to assess the health and development of the fetal heart and to check for cardiac abnormalities. This test is harmless and painless for the mother and fetus, and can be valuable in diagnosing possible heart disease early..
As for the other section of heart disease, it includes cases that are not accompanied by clear symptoms in the early stages. It may be discovered during routine check-ups or some time after birth. An example is some structural heart abnormalities that may not cause visible symptoms until the child is older and require medical intervention.
It is important to stress the importance of regular check-up visits for children and routine check-ups for heart disease and other health problems. Early diagnosis helps in appropriate therapeutic intervention and improves treatment outcomes. So, you should consult your pediatrician if you are concerned about your child's heart health or if you notice any abnormal signs.
What Dr. Ziad Hegazy says refers to the fact that there are some cases of heart disease that do not show symptoms in the early stages. Although there are no obvious symptoms, heart problems can develop and worsen over time.
This highlights the importance of regular check-ups and routine cardiac check-ups for all people, regardless of the presence of symptoms. Heart problems may be detected in the early stages before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention and treatment.
Therefore, it is recommended to conduct periodic heart examinations for patients of all ages, even in the absence of obvious symptoms. This helps diagnose potential problems early and provide the care needed to maintain a healthy heart.
What types of heart disease in children?
Congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease It means a heart problem that has been present since birth. There may be some symptoms that indicate that the fetus has a congenital heart problem, and these symptoms include:
1.Blue nails and lips: The appearance of blueness in the nails and lips may indicate that there is not enough oxygen in the blood, which is an indication of a heart problem.
2. Double weight gain: إIf the fetus suffers from a congenital heart problem, it may find it difficult to breastfeed and utilize food adequately, which leads to poor weight gain.
However, it should be noted that these symptoms can be associated with other non-heart diseases, and the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean a heart problem. Therefore, a pediatrician or a pediatric cardiologist should be consulted to evaluate the condition and conduct the necessary tests to determine the presence of congenital heart disease and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis It is a condition that occurs as a result of the accumulation of fat and cholesterol And other deposits inside the walls of the arteries, which leads to narrowing and difficulty in passing blood through them. Although atherosclerosis is most often associated with adults, it can also affect children in advanced childhood.
There are several factors that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, including the accumulation of fats and cholesterol in the arteries and high blood pressure blood pressure Smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity and poor diet. Indeed, the prevalence of obesity among children and an unhealthy lifestyle are considered risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis in advanced childhood. If atherosclerosis is not treated quickly, it can increase the risk of stroke and stroke Heart attacks. Therefore, it is important to encourage children to eat a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity, refrain from smoking and maintain a healthy weight.
A doctor should be consulted if there are any concerns about atherosclerosis in children, and the doctor can direct the necessary tests to diagnose and treat the problem if needed.
Rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease It is an inflammatory condition that affects cardiac tissue and results from the human body's immune reaction to the streptococcus bacteria that cause heart disease Bacterial sore throat.
When a person develops rheumatic fever as a result of a streptococcal infection, complications can occur in the heart, which is a serious problem. Infections that occur as a result of rheumatic fever can affect the heart tissue, thus causing rheumatic heart disease.
Heart rheumatism can cause permanent damage to the heart valves, as damage to the heart valves and abnormalities in the structure of the heart occurs. Symptoms that people with rheumatic heart disease may experience may include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, palpitations, and an inability to engage in physical activity.
Rheumatic fever must be treated quickly and completely to avoid the development of rheumatic heart disease. Treatment includes the use of antibiotics to treat the original bacterial infection and the use of anti-inflammatory therapy to control heart infections. People with rheumatic heart disease may require surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves if the heart is severely damaged.
Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease It is an inflammatory condition that affects the blood vessels in the child's body, and it is considered a common disease in childhood. This disease is characterized by inflammation of small blood vessels throughout the body, including the hands, legs, mouth, lips, and throat.
Symptoms of Kawasaki disease include a high fever lasting more than five days, swelling and redness of the extremities (especially the hands and feet), swelling and redness of the lips and tongue, and rash، Swelling and pain in Lymph nodes with the body. The disease may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as arthritis, eye inflammation, and changes in the nails and skin.
The causes of Kawasaki disease are not yet precisely defined, but it is believed to be related to the body's immune response to an unknown factor. Although most children recover completely from the disease without any complications, it is a major cause of heart disease in children. If not diagnosed and treated properly, Kawasaki disease can damage coronary arteries and cause serious heart problems such as vasculitis, vasculitis, and the formation of cavities in the vessels.
Therefore, it is important to detect Kawasaki disease at an early stage and start appropriate treatment with the advice of specialized doctors to prevent serious heart complications.
heart murmurs
heart murmurs Refers to a whistling sound during blood flow in the heart or nearby blood vessels. Although in many cases heart murmurs are not a serious health problem and resolve naturally without treatment, they may be a sign of an undetected problem affecting the baby's health. There are several causes of heart murmurs, including coronary artery disease (such as stenosis or valve abnormalities), rheumatic fever, Anemia, And some other diseases that affect blood flow in the heart and blood vessels. The doctor may diagnose and monitor heart murmurs through a physical examination and listening to the heart using a stethoscope (stethoscope). In cases of heart murmurs that persist or cause symptoms that are bothersome to the child, the doctor may need to take additional measures to diagnose and treat the condition. This may include additional examinations such as an ultrasound of the heart(Echocardiography) To assess the structure and function of the heart, and blood tests to determine the presence of infections or changes in blood levels, and other complementary examinations as the case may be.
So, if you are concerned about heart murmurs in a child, it is best that you consult a doctor to evaluate the condition and guide you on the appropriate steps for diagnosis and treatment.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis It refers to inflammation of the cardiac sac known as the pericardium, which is the thin membrane surrounding the heart. Pericarditis occurs as a result of inflammation or infection in this membrane, which causes it to become swollen, red, and irritated. Pericarditis can cause fluid to build up between the layers of the membrane, which increases pressure on the heart and affects its ability to pump blood properly. Pericarditis can occur due to several causes, including viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, and is most often caused by a viral infection such as the mumps virus, influenza, or herpes. Pericarditis may also occur after heart surgery or as a result of other inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of pericarditis usually present as chest pain that increases with deep breathing or movement, and may be accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Pericarditis may be diagnosed through a physical examination and auscultation of the heart, sometimes requiring additional investigations such as x-rays or ultrasound.
Treatment of pericarditis depends on its cause and severity, and may include taking pain-relieving medications and antibiotics if the cause is bacterial. In some cases, treatment may require draining fluid accumulated between the layers of the cardiac membrane. It is recommended to see a doctor to assess the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment
It may increase the risk of a fetus having congenital heart problems. Maternal pregnancy at an advanced age may be associated with an increased risk of fetal heart defects. In addition, high blood sugar levels in an expectant mother with diabetes can affect fetal heart formation in various ways and increase the risk of heart defects.
Hyperthyroidism is also a possible factor in congenital heart problems. The increased heart rate and hormonal changes associated with hyperthyroidism can affect the development of the fetal heart and cause problems with the structure and function of the heart.
As for SLE, it is an immune disorder that can affect pregnancy and the fetus. It can cause disruptions in fetal development and increase the risk of birth defects, including heart problems.
Among the symptoms that may appear in children with congenital heart problems are rapid breathing, a change in skin color to blue, snoring while breathing, swelling in the legs and abdomen or areas around the eyes, and difficulty breathing well, especially during feeding.
Pregnant mothers should consult with doctors and health professionals to obtain the necessary care and monitor the health of the fetus during pregnancy.
Therapeutic solutions for heart disease in children
The fields of cardiology treatment have advanced greatly in recent decades, thanks to medical and technological advances. There are advances in drug therapies used to treat heart disease, including improved anticoagulant medications that help reduce the formation of blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Cardiac surgery techniques, such as interventional catheterization and coronary artery bypass surgery, have also developed Heart transplantation and Heart valve transplantation. These advanced technologies help treat heart diseases and improve patients' quality of life.
In addition, improved cardiac diagnostic methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and interventional imaging, allow physicians to evaluate the heart, diagnose conditions more accurately, and direct treatment.
For pregnant women, knowledge and awareness about fetal health monitoring and their pregnancy has improved.
Special care is provided for pregnant women with heart disease, and opportunities for early diagnosis and specialized care are available for mothers and children with heart problems.
However, awareness and periodic follow-up with the specialist doctor is still necessary. People should maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as eating healthy and exercising regularly, wat
Pharmacological treatments play an important role in managing heart disease and improving heart muscle function. For heart conditions that cause a need to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood, diuretics can be used to achieve this and relieve pressure on the heart by pumping less blood. As for blood pressure reducers, they are used to control blood pressure high and reduce the burden on the heart.
For children who require surgical intervention, great advances have been made in the field of cardiac surgery. In the past, the mortality rate during open-heart surgeries in children was high, but thanks to technical developments and improvements in postoperative care, this percentage may decrease significantly and is less than 5% at present. This reflects the advances that have been made in the field of cardiac surgery and peripheral care.
Moreover, it must be noted that these treatments and techniques depend on accurate diagnosis and periodic follow-up by specialized physicians. Patients and parents must adhere to medical guidelines and follow up regularly with the medical team to ensure the best treatment results and improve the quality of life.
Cardiac catheterization has developed greatly in recent years and has become an effective way to treat many congenital heart diseases without the need for traditional surgery. The transcatheter valve dilatation technique is one procedure that can be successfully performed using catheters.
In this procedure, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted through an artery or vein into the affected part of the heart or valve. An inflatable bag is placed at the end of the tube, and when the appropriate location is reached, the bag is inflated to widen the valve and improve blood flow.
This procedure is often safe and effective in certain cases, and can obviate the need for traditional open surgery. It reduces the length of hospital stay and reduces fatigue and pain in patients. However, each case must be evaluated individually to determine whether catheterization is an appropriate and safe option for the patient.
Cardiac catheterization technology has revolutionized the treatment of heart disease and opened the door to non-invasive treatment options that offer many benefits to patients, such as faster recovery, reduced risk and improved quality of life.
There are several cardiac procedures that can be performed using catheters to treat some congenital heart conditions. Among these procedures: 1. Making an artificial hole in the wall separating the two atria: A special catheter containing a small piece of tissue or synthetic mesh is inserted to create an opening in the wall separating the two atria, allowing blood from the left ventricle to enter the right atrium and improve blood flow. 2. Ductus arteriosus or ductus arteriosus: A catheter is used to place a medical tampon such as a device Amplatzer in the ductus arteriosus or holes in the heart to close them up, preventing blood from flowing through and returning the heart to a normal position. As for proper nutrition, it is indeed important for a child's health and proper development, including heart health. You should consult a pediatrician and a nutritionist to get the appropriate directions and advice to provide the correct nutrition for the child, enhance his physical structure, and overcome lactation problems if encountered.
It should also be kept in mind that a weak build or malnutrition can negatively affect a child's health and may affect their stamina before and after corrective surgeries. Therefore, it is very important to take care of the child's nutrition and provide him with the necessary support to improve his general health and prepare him for surgeries
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