What is PAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY?

Paediatric Cardiology is a sub-speciality medical field of Paediatrics. Paediatric Cardiology is concerned with the study, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders related to the heart in children. Paediatric Cardiologists specialise in the treatment of heart disorders in children. 

Common Heart Disorders in Children:

Heart disorders in children are mostly congenital. Deformities in the child’s heart can be formed during pregnancy due to complications, accidents or trauma. However, some children may acquire heart diseases after birth, in the infancy period or later. 

Congenital Heart Disorders in Children: 

Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD): AVSD can comprise three defects in the heart. These are:

• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): A hole is formed in the Atria (wall) that separates the upper chambers of the heart. If the hole enlarges, it increases the amount of blood that passes through the lungs. 
  
  
• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole present in the septum between the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). 
  
  
• The presence of a common atrioventricular valve is the third condition in AVSD. In this condition, two valves are combined to form a common atrioventricular opening.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS): This is a medical condition in which the heart’s main pumping chamber i.e., the left chamber and the left-sided valves are poorly developed. This leads to insufficient amounts of blood to be produced for the body to sustain life. 

Pulmonary Stenosis: In Pulmonary Stenosis, the heart’s pulmonary valve is thicker than normal, and the opening is smaller. Due to this, blood isn’t able to flow normally from the heart to the valve and lungs.  

Ebstein’s Anomaly: In this condition, the tricuspid valve in the heart is not properly developed. This causes hindrance in blood flowing towards the right ventricle. In some cases, it may also cause blood leakage in the right atrium. 

Acquired Heart Disorders in Children: 

Dilated Cardiomyopathy: In this condition, the muscles of the heart weaken and the heart enlarges in size. This leads to the ill-functioning of the lower chambers, causing inefficient and insufficient pumping of blood. 

Endocarditis:  Endocarditis is diagnosed when the inner lining of the heart, called the endocardium, or the inner valve, gets affected by bacteria. Children who have pre-existing heart conditions are more likely to be affected by endocarditis.

Myocarditis: This is the condition where inflammation is found in the muscles of the heart. Myocarditis is mostly caused by external agents like fungi and bacteria. 

What to expect?

Prior to your appointment, more testing might be carried out in the clinic based on the data you provided during pre-registration and the pediatrician's records. It is common practice to do an electrocardiogram (ECG) as well as unique vital signs such arm and leg blood pressure measurements or pulse oximetry to monitor oxygen levels. Less frequently, you might undergo testing on the treadmill, an echocardiography, or your chest via x-ray. When your child is being examined primarily for the benefit of another family member, it is crucial that you bring any relevant paperwork with you, especially those pertaining to that person.