Pediatric cardiology deals with detection and treatment of congenital heart defect and acquired heart diseases in children by a trained pediatric cardiologist. A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a problem with the structure of the heart present since birth. Heart defects ate detected in a more systematic method which were neglected or under diagnosed due to lack of facilities and lack of awareness earlier.
In India every 1 newborn baby out of 100-120 live born suffers from CHD. Every year 1, 80,000 babies are born with CHD and 50,000 babies die every year before their first birthday due to their untreated heart disease (10% of current infant mortality rate). 25% of congenital heart diseases are undiagnosed even in school age children. These facts are alarming.
Yes, definitely. Majority of congenital heart disease can be successfully diagnosed in pregnancy between 18 to 20 weeks of gestation by fetal 2D echocardiography by a trained pediatric cardiologist as it can be missed on routine obstetric scan. Fetal 2D Echo is a non-invasive imaging of fetal heart. Mothers with gestational diabetes, nutritional deficiency, previous chid with congenital heart disease, presence of extra-cardiac anomalies, elderly primi etc. needs detail cardiac evaluation. This can help parents in crucial decisions.
In the past, children born with a heart problem usually required open heart surgery with prominent chest scar. However, trans-catheter interventions allow selective patients to avoid cardiac surgery / scar. Many holes like atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), PDA can be closed with devices. Balloon valvotomy for pulmonary and aortic stenosis (blockage of valve) can be also being done through scar less surgery. During these procedures we go through leg vein (femoral vein) using sheath and delivery cable and deploy the device across the hole.
Children not gaining weight, having recurrent respiratory illness, cyanosis (bluish discolouration of lips, oral mucosa), dyspnoea on exertion etc. needs cardiac evaluation by pediatric cardiologist.
In the current rea, with advent of technologies these children with congenital heart diseases are successfully treated by nonsurgical interventions without any surgery. Best part is that it is a day care procedure, child being discharged in 24 hours without a scar on chest. Post interventions children live a normal life without any cardiac medications.