Infant Heart Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

According to the American Heart Association, about 35,000 infants are born with congenital heart defects each year. There are 15 different types of heart malformations that can lead to infant heart disease. Some times these defects correct themselves shortly after birth. However, many times the only treatment for heart disease in infants is surgery or less invasive heart catheterization procedures.

Fatigue

• Infants with heart disease will often tire easily.

Breathing Difficulties

• Infants with heart disease may take shallow, weak breaths that make a raspy sound.

Fainting

• Infants with heart disease may faint when exerting themselves.

Low Weight Gain

• Infants with heart disease may not gain weight adequately. They may have difficulties consuming enough nutrition because of problems with breathing and eating simultaneously.

Skin Coloration and Swelling

• Infants with more serious heart defects may have bluish colored skin and body swelling.

No Symptoms

• Sometimes infants with heart disease may have no symptoms at all. The heart defect may be detected during a routine medical visit when the pediatrician hears a heart murmur or it may be detected by an echo-cardiogram.