What are the signs of congenital heart disease in newborns?

Congenital cardiovascular disease is the most common type of congenital malformation and a common heart disease in newborns. Heart disease is extremely harmful and seriously affects our physical and mental health. With the development of science and technology and the improvement of medical standards, this disease can now be treated. However, only if we understand the signs can we send the child to the hospital in time. So, what are the signs of congenital heart disease in newborns?

1. Heart failure

Neonatal heart failure is considered an emergency and is usually caused by a more severe heart defect. Its clinical manifestations are due to congestion of the pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation and reduced cardiac output. The children are pale, short of breath, have difficulty breathing and tachycardia. The heart rate can reach 160-190 beats per minute and the blood pressure is often low. You can hear the rhythm of galloping horses. The liver is enlarged, but peripheral edema is less common.

2. Cyanosis

It occurs due to right-to-left shunting, which mixes arterial and venous blood. It is most obvious on the tip of the nose, lips, and nail beds.

3. Squatting

Children with cyanotic congenital heart disease, especially those with tetralogy of Fallot, often show squatting signs after activities. This can increase systemic vascular resistance and thus reduce the right-to-left shunt caused by the septal defect, while also increasing venous blood return to the right heart, thereby improving pulmonary blood flow.

4. Pulmonary Hypertension

When a patient with a septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus develops a syndrome of severe pulmonary hypertension and cyanosis, it is called Eisenmenger's syndrome. The clinical manifestations are cyanosis, polycythemia, clubbing of fingers (toes), and signs of right heart failure such as distended jugular veins, hepatomegaly, and edema of surrounding tissues. At this time, the patient has lost the opportunity for surgery and the only thing waiting is heart and lung transplantation. Most patients die before the age of 40.

5. Clubbing and polycythemia

Cyanotic congenital heart disease is almost always accompanied by clubbing of fingers and toes and polycythemia. The mechanism of clubbing: chronic hypoxia at the extremities, metabolic disorders, and toxic injuries. The ends of fingers or toes grow, thicken, and become clubbed.

6. Developmental Disabilities

Children with congenital heart disease often develop abnormally, with symptoms such as being thin, malnourished, and developmentally delayed.

Through the introduction above, I believe you already know the signs of congenital heart disease in newborns! When a child is found to have the above abnormal reactions, the child should be sent to the hospital for examination and treatment in time. Heart disease also has genetic signs. If there is a family history of heart disease, then the child must be treated carefully and it is best to check whether the child is healthy.