The main symptoms of congenital heart disease in infants include difficulty breathing, cyanosis, and feeding difficulties, requiring prompt medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment methods include medication, surgery, and daily care, with the specific choice depending on the type and severity of the heart disease.
1. Breathing difficulties: Infants may experience rapid breathing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing even at rest, especially during activity or crying. This is due to abnormal heart function leading to lung congestion or insufficient oxygen supply. Parents should monitor the infant's breathing rate and depth, and seek medical attention immediately if any abnormalities are observed.
2. Cyanosis: Some infants may exhibit cyanosis, characterized by a bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds. This indicates insufficient oxygenation in the blood and is commonly seen in congenital heart disease with a right-to-left shunt. The severity of cyanosis is related to the severity of the heart disease; mild cyanosis may only occur when the infant is crying, while severe cyanosis is persistent.
3. Feeding difficulties: Infants may exhibit symptoms such as easy fatigue during feeding, weak sucking, or frequent interruptions in feeding. This is due to increased energy expenditure caused by excessive strain on the heart. Parents should pay attention to the infant's weight gain; if weight gain is slow or stagnant, the possibility of heart disease should be considered.
4. Growth and development delay: Congenital heart disease can affect an infant's growth and development, manifesting as slow weight and height growth, and poor muscle development. This is due to insufficient blood supply and nutrient supply throughout the body caused by abnormal heart function. Regular monitoring of the infant's growth and development indicators is crucial for timely detection and intervention of abnormalities.
5. Other symptoms: Some infants may experience abnormal heart rate, edema, excessive sweating, or fatigue. These symptoms may be related to the type and severity of the heart disease and require diagnosis and treatment based on the specific circumstances.
Treatment options include medication, surgery, and daily care. Medication primarily aims to relieve symptoms and improve cardiac function, such as diuretics, cardiac stimulants, and vasodilators. Surgical treatment is chosen based on the type of heart disease, such as atrial septal defect repair, ventricular septal defect repair, and patent ductus arteriosus ligation. Daily care includes keeping the infant calm, preventing infection, proper feeding, and regular checkups. Parents need to work closely with their doctors to develop a personalized treatment plan to ensure the infant's healthy growth.