Congenital Heart Disease in Infancy

Children with congenital heart disease are born with the condition, due to a problem with the structure of his/her heart. Some types of the condition are less complicated and may not need any treatment. For instance, a tiny hole in the heart chambers will close up on its own. Whereas, a complex condition may call for several surgeries over the years to treat the condition.

Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease

A child may be unable to express or openly exhibit certain signs and symptoms of a congenital heart condition. Here's how you can keep an eye out for in infants soon after birth:

· Rapid breathing

· Pale blue or gray coloring of the skin (cyanosis)

· Flared nostrils

· Swollen legs, eyes, or abdomen

· Grunting while breathing

· Poor weight gain caused by shortness of breath while feeding


Congenital heart diseases detected later in childhood may be less complicated, but include the following symptoms:

· Tiring easily during activity or exercise

· Fatigue from less activity

· Swollen ankles or limbs


Causes of Congenital Heart Defects

The heart of the baby begins to take shape and start beating during the first six weeks of pregnancy. This is also the period when the major blood vessels running to and from the heart start to form, and is a critical stage of gestation. It is during this point of the baby's development that a defect in the heart may originate. Some of the commonly known risk factors that may influence these defects are:

· Rubella (German measles)

· Medications

· Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy

· Diabetes

· Smoking

· Family history and genetics

Diagnosing a Congenital Heart Condition

The cause of most congenital heart defects remain unknown. However, timely diagnosis may help treat the condition successfully by early childhood. Genetic testing can be used by doctors to detect any disorders during the development of the fetus. If your first child has a congenital heart defect, your genetic counsellor may be able to estimate the possibility of your next child developing one too.

A chronic heart condition makes itself evident during the first few months after birth. Babies born with low blood pressure, breathing issues, difficulties feeding or poor weight gain, may all indicate a heart condition that needs immediate attention. The child's pediatrician must refer the parents to a pediatric cardiologist who can conduct further diagnostic tests to identify and treat the child's condition.

When the physician ignores a particular symptom of a congenital heart defect, without ruling out all conditions with the necessary diagnostic procedures, it may be a case of medical malpractice. Such acts of medical negligence can lead to the further advancement of the heart defect, impacting the child's and the parents' future & wellbeing drastically.

Get Legal Support Now

If your child's congenital heart condition was neglected by medical experts, get in touch with New York City medical malpractice attorneys to understand your entitlements and take up legal action. The best in the business come from Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff (RMFW).

RMFW have law offices situated in Astoria, Queens, New York City and two offices in Brooklyn. We know how to win cases. If your case has some legalities to it, we will be honored to represent you. We have won millions of dollars for past clients and are winning cases now as well. Do you want your financial situation improved? Do you want the guilty person or the person who was negligent here to pay? If so, call this number: 212-344-1000.

This number is free. Your life is not free. Someone may have taken you for granted; no worries, we will not.

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