Question 1

How many babies are born with heart defects?

Accepted Answer

CHD is reported to be 8-12/1000 live births. Considering a rate of 9/1000, about 1.35 million babies are born with CHD each year globally .

Question 2

I'm really worried about my baby girl. She's only 2 months old and was born preterm at 35 weeks. The doctors say she has a 6mm VSD, 3mm ASD, and moderate PDA, all left to right shunt. Her weight is 3.5kg right now. We've spoken to 23 pediatric cardiologists and they all recommend surgery, but were confused about the timing. Some say it should be done immediately, others suggest before she turns 6 months, or when she reaches 1 year and weighs about 10kg. Right now, she seems to be okayshe's gaining weight, feeding well, and has no symptoms related to the VSD. We just want to make the right decision for her. When would be the best time for the surgery?

Accepted Answer

In the case of your daughter with VSD, ASD, and PDA, the decision for surgical correction depends on various factors such as the size of the defects, the presence of symptoms, and the overall health of the baby. Since your daughter is currently asymptomatic and is gaining weight normally, the timing of the surgery can be a bit more flexible. Considering the moderate size of the defects and the left to right shunt, it is generally recommended to wait until the baby is a bit older and bigger before considering surgery. Most pediatric cardiologists suggest performing the surgery before the baby reaches 1 year of age or weighs around 10kg. This allows for the baby to grow and develop, making the surgery safer and potentially reducing the risk of complications. It is important to continue monitoring your daughter closely for any signs of distress or worsening symptoms. Regular follow-ups with the pediatric cardiologist are crucial to track the progress of the defects and determine the optimal timing for the surgical correction.

Question 3

I'm really worried about my three-year-old nephew who had open heart surgery on Tuesday for a block and a hole in his heart. He's been on a ventilator since then. Today, the doctors mentioned there is some bleeding, and now he's having seizures. They've also asked us to get an epicetam injection. Is this a common occurrence after such surgeries, or should we be more concerned? The surgery took place at PGIMER Chandigarh.

Accepted Answer

The bleeding and seizures your nephew is experiencing after open heart surgery could be due to various reasons, including the stress of the surgery, the use of blood thinners during the procedure, or underlying medical conditions. Epilectam injection is likely being prescribed to help control the seizures. It contains the active ingredient Levetiracetam. The usual dosage for children is based on their weight, typically around 20 mg per kg, given twice a day. It is important to follow the dosage instructions provided by the healthcare team at PGIMER Chandigarh. If you have any concerns or questions about your nephew's condition or treatment, please discuss them with the medical team caring for him at the hospital.

See a specialist for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.

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How many babies are born with heart defects?

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