Unlike adult cardiology, pediatric cardiology focuses on the developing heart structure of children who are in the growth and development stage. Early diagnosis of congenital anomalies (congenital heart diseases) is particularly important for a child to lead a healthy life.
What is Pediatric Cardiology?
Pediatric cardiology is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of heart conditions in infants, children and adolescents up to 18 years of age. Pediatric cardiology is a field that covers both congenital structural heart anomalies and developed heart diseases. Since the heart structure and physiological needs of children differ from those of adults, their care is monitored by specialist pediatric cardiologists. Early diagnosis plays a vital role in the treatment of heart diseases in children and directly affects the child’s quality of life.
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What Diseases Does Pediatric Cardiology Treat?
The pediatric cardiology department provides care across a wide range of conditions, from the anatomical structure of the heart to rhythm disorders. In the pediatric cardiology department, both structural problems requiring surgical intervention and conditions requiring medical follow-up are managed.
Pediatric cardiology department deals with diseases below:
- Congenital Heart Holes: Openings in the partitions between the heart chambers (ASD, VSD, PDA).
- Heart Valve Diseases: Stenoses or failures seen in heart valves.
- Heart Rhythm and Conduction Disorders: The heart working faster, slower or irregularly than normal (arrhythmia).
- Heart Muscle Diseases: Cardiomyopathies that affect the structure of heart muscle.
- Rheumatic Heart Diseases: Damages that occur in heart valves after some infections
- Chest Pain And Fainting: Symptoms commonly seen in children that are investigated to determine whether they have a cardiac origin.
What Are Heart Diseases Seen In Children?
Heart diseases in children are divided into two categories: congenital and acquired conditions. Today, with advanced imaging technologies, many of these diseases can be diagnosed even before the baby is born.
Congenital Heart Diseases
It occurs when the heart chambers, vessels or valves fail to fully develop during the baby’s development in the womb. The most common types are ventricular septal defect (VSD) and atrial septal defect (ASD).
Acquired Heart Diseases
Although the heart is healthy at birth, it develops later in life as a result of infections or immune system responses. Acute rheumatic fever and Kawasaki disease are the most known examples of this group.
What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Diseases In Children?
Symptoms of heart disease in children vary depending on the child’s age and the severity of the condition. Fatigue during feeding is notable in infants, while in older children, reduced exercise capacity is more prominent.
The main symptoms of pediatric heart diseases are as follows:
- Cyanosis: It is a purple discoloration, especially seen on the lips, tongue and nail beds.
- Feeding difficulties: It is characterized by infants becoming easily fatigued while feeding, becoming short of breath and sweating excessively.
- Developmental delay: It is a failure to gain weight or a slower height growth compared to peers.
- Frequent lung infection: Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis attacks are a sign.
- Palpitations and chest pain: It is a sensation of the heart beating rapidly, as described by older children.
- Fainting (syncope): These are sudden episodes of loss of consciousness, especially occurring during physical activity.
What Are The Diagnosis Methods Used In Pediatric Cardiology Department?
Modern pediatric cardiology examines the structure and function of the heart in detail using both invasive (interventional) and non-invasive (non-interventional) methods. The diagnostic process usually begins with a physical examination performed by a specialist physician and auscultation of the heart using a stethoscope. Diagnostic method used in pediatric cardiology are as follows:
- Echocardiography (ECHO): It is the real-time visualization of the heart’s structure and blood flow using sound waves.
- Electrocardiography (ECG): It is the recording of the heart’s electrical activity and the detection of rhythm disorders.
- Fetal Echocardiography: It is the examination of the fetus’s heart between the 18th-22nd weeks in the womb.
- Holter monitoring: It is the recording of heart rhythm over 24 or 48 hours using a portable device.
- Cardiac Stress Test: It is the measurement of heart function while the child is under physical stress on a treadmill.
- Cardiac catheterization and angiography: It is a procedure in which thin tubes are inserted into the heart chambers to measure pressure and obtain detailed imaging.
What Are The Treatment Methods Of Heart Diseases In Children?
The treatment of heart diseases in children is planned with a multidisciplinary approach depending on the type and severity of the condition. While some small heart defects may close on its own, some complex anomalies may require urgent surgical intervention. Children whose treatment has been completed should be regularly followed up by a pediatric cardiologist throughout their development.
Treatment methods of heart diseases in children are as follows:
- Medication therapy: They are used to improve heart function, regulate heart rhythm or remove excess fluid from the body.
- Interventional treatment (with angiography): It is a procedure in which heart defects are closed or narrowed valves are widened using balloon dilation without surgery.
- Heart Surgery: They are open or minimally invasive surgeries performed to correct structural abnormalities of the heart.
- Rhythm-regulating treatments: When necessary, it involves the implantation of a pacemaker or the elimination of arrhythmias using ablation methods
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Cardiology
Is Heart Murmur In Children Dangerous?
Most murmurs are called ‘innocent murmurs’ and they are sounds that are not based on any structural abnormality; ECHO is recommended for differential diagnosis.
Can Heart Hole In Infants Close On Its Own?
Some small diameter Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD) or Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) may close on its own during a child’s growth and regular medical follow-up is required during this process.
Do Children That Do Sports Need To Have A Heart Check-Up?
It is recommended that children who will participate in competitive sports undergo at least one evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist to help prevent the risk of sudden cardiac events.
Can Heart Disease Be Diagnosed In The Womb?
Yes, with fetal echocardiography, the baby’s heart structure can be examined at appropriate weeks of pregnancy.
Is Chest Pain In Children Always Due To Heart?
Chest pain in children is usually musculoskeletal or stress-related, but a specialist evaluation should be sought to rule out serious causes (even though they are rare).
Is Cyanosis Always A Symptom Of A Heart Disease?
No, but central cyanosis seen on the lips and tongue may indicate a serious heart or lung disease and therefore requires evaluation by a specialist physician.
How Long Does Pediatric Cardiology Examination Take?
Pediatric cardiology examinations, including ECG and echocardiography, are generally painless procedures that take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Can Children Who Undergo Heart Surgery Return To Normal Life?
With successful surgery and proper rehabilitation, most children who undergo heart surgery can achieve a quality of life similar to their peers and can participate in sports.
