Heart Diseases in Newborns and Children

Heart diseases in newborns and children are health problems that occur early in life and can significantly affect quality of life. Heart anomalies refer to congenital or acquired heart disorders, which can adversely affect the physical and psychological development of children. In this article we have written for you, we will try to give information about heart anomalies in newborns, causes and types of these anomalies.

What is Neonatal Heart Anomaly?

Neonatal heart anomalies are abnormalities in heart structures or functions that occur during prenatal development and show their effect from birth. These anomalies can occur in the chambers, valves, vessels or rhythm of the heart and can have varying degrees of severity. Neonatal heart anomaly is considered the most common form of congenital heart disease and occurs in approximately 1 in every 100 babies worldwide.

What Are The Causes of Neonatal Heart Anomaly?

Heart anomaly in the newborn occurs as a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors carry a higher risk in babies with a family history of heart disease. In addition, some chromosomal abnormalities (for example, Down syndrome) and genetic syndromes can also increase the risk of heart abnormalities.

Environmental factors include certain infections that the mother is exposed to during pregnancy (e.g. rubella), drugs, radiation, alcohol and smoking. In addition, advanced maternal age and chronic diseases such as diabetes can also increase the risk of heart abnormalities in the newborn.

What Are The Types of Heart Anomaly in Newborns?

Heart anomalies in newborns can occur in many different structural and functional ways. The most common types of neonatal heart anomalies can be explained as follows;

Atrial septal defect (ASD); It is an abnormal opening between the two upper chambers of the heart.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD); It is an abnormal opening between the two lower chambers of the heart.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA); The blood vessel that connects the heart and lungs, which should be closed after birth, remains open.

Pulmonary stenosis is a narrowing or obstruction in the pulmonary valve that carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs.

Coarctation of the aorta; Abnormal narrowing of the aorta, the main blood vessel.

Tetralogy of Fallot; It is a combination of four different heart anomalies (VSD, pulmonary stenosis, placement of the aorta on the right ventricle and thickening of the right ventricle).

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of heart disease in newborns and children can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of complications. Therefore, regular check-ups during pregnancy and postnatal heart examinations are of great importance.

How Are Congenital Heart Diseases Diagnosed?

Congenital heart diseases are structural anomalies that occur in the hearts of babies before or after birth. When these diseases are diagnosed correctly and on time, the quality of life of the child can be improved by applying effective treatment methods. Some methods used for the diagnosis of congenital heart diseases are as follows;

• Fetal Echocardiography,
• Newborn Screening Tests,
• Electrocardiogram (ECG),
• Echocardiography,
• Cardiac Catheterisation,

How Is Heart Anomaly In Newborns Treated?

Treatment of heart anomalies in newborns varies depending on the type and severity of the disease and the general health status of the baby. In general, treatment methods are as follows;

In the treatment of some congenital heart diseases, medications are used. These drugs help to regulate heart rhythm, control blood pressure and make the heart work more efficiently.

Some procedures performed by cardiac catheterisation can be used in the treatment of congenital heart diseases. For example, catheterisation methods can be used to open narrowed vessels or to close open heart valve holes.

Open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery methods can be used in the treatment of congenital heart diseases. These procedures are aimed at correcting heart defects, improving blood flow and optimizing heart function.

In the treatment of severe congenital heart disease, a heart transplant may be required. This involves replacing the patient’s heart with a healthy donor heart.

What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Disease In Children?

Symptoms of heart disease in children vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. However, some common symptoms are as follows;

• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath,
• Frequent bruising, especially around the lips and nails,
• Fatigue and rapid fatigue during feeding,
• Inability to gain weight or growth retardation,
• Rapid heartbeat or irregular heart rhythm,
• Swelling, especially in the legs and feet,
• Excessive fatigue and shortness of breath during exercise,
• Fainting spells or dizziness,

If your child has one or more of these symptoms, it is important to consult a paediatric cardiologist for the necessary tests and evaluations.

Heart Anomaly Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has succeeded in making its name known to the world with its investments and Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. We can see that patients and relatives of patients who want to come to Turkey are doing research on Heart Anomaly Treatment Prices in Turkey. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.