Congenital Pediatric Heart Diseases- Know the Diagnosis

There is so much to say and read about CHDs. One of those several topics is the diagnosis. People find out about pediatric heart disease that just happens to be congenital during and after the pregnancy all the time. Sometimes in more severe cases, the diagnosis occurs at a later age

Since the symptoms of a CHD is hardly recognized at times, diagnosis is possible after a baby is born or before the birth.

The Physical Exam

While the doctor is looking for a heart disease(paediatric cases precisely), the physical exam includes them listening to the child's heart and lungs via a stethoscope. Other signs of a cardiovascular disease like cyanosis, short breath, rapid breathing, slow growth are also checked for by the doctor.

Echocardiography

This painless test uses sound waves and creates a moving picture of the heart. The major objective of echocardiography is to find out if the heart formation is proper or if it's working appropriately.

This diagnosis works for both before the birth of a baby and afterwards. For a fetal checkup, the Echo test is most suitable when the pregnancy is anywhere from 18 to 22 weeks.

Electrocardiogram

An EKG is used to determine how fast the Heartbeat is and how steady or regular its rhythm is. It can help in diagnosing a heart problem because it can detect if any of the chambers of the heart has become enlarged.

Cardiac Catheterization

A catheter (a thin and long tube) is inserted into the patient’s vein, threaded via the blood vessels so that it can reach the heart. A specific dye, custom made for this purpose apparently, is passed through the tube to the heart.

The objective is to ensure that the path of blood through the heart and the blood vessels is not going off-route. Also, it is used to take into account the oxygen level and pressure inside the heart and the blood vessels.

Apart from determining whether the blood from the two chambers of the heart are mixing or not, catheterization is also used to correct certain heart defects.

Chest X-Ray

An X-ray is essential when the doctors want to know if the heart has become enlarged. Also, if there is excess fluid in and around the chest cavity, an X-Ray can help spot it.

Pulse Oximetry

Performing a pulse oximetry helps in finding out how much oxygen the heart is using. There is a small sensor that looks like an adhesive or a bandage. It is attached to the fingers of the patients or their toes.

It’s non-invasive and is considered a good, standard way of measuring oxygen saturation in the heart.

There Are Others Too

An MRI, for instance.

When it comes to a congenital pediatric heart disease, the unpredictable nature of the signs of heart problems in teenagers, young kids, or pregnancies is difficult to comprehend. The symptoms might show up or they might not. It is better to understand the full flow of whatever goes down when any red signs are spotted.