What are the symptoms of congenital heart disease in newborns?

Treatment of congenital heart disease in newborns should be based on the specific type and severity of the disease, with medication, surgery or interventional therapy. Common symptoms include dyspnea, cyanosis and feeding difficulties. Symptoms of congenital heart disease in newborns vary, mainly related to abnormal cardiac structure and function. Common types include ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus.

1. Dyspnea is one of the common symptoms of congenital heart disease in newborns. Due to heart failure, blood cannot be effectively pumped to the whole body, resulting in congestion in the lungs and affecting oxygen exchange. Newborns may show rapid breathing, flaring of the nose or three-point concave sign, and in severe cases, apnea may occur. For dyspnea, oxygen therapy should be carried out in time, and ventilator-assisted ventilation should be used when necessary. At the same time, blood oxygen saturation should be monitored to ensure adequate oxygen supply.

2. Cyanosis is one of the typical manifestations of congenital heart disease in newborns, especially in severe types such as tetralogy of Fallot. Cyanosis is caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood, which causes the skin and mucous membranes to appear bluish purple, and is commonly seen in the lips, nail beds and other parts. Treatment of cyanosis should be selected according to the cause, such as surgery to correct heart malformations or use of drugs to improve heart function. At the same time, blood oxygen levels should be closely monitored to prevent worsening of hypoxia.

3. Feeding difficulties are another common symptom of congenital heart disease in newborns. Due to heart failure, newborns are easily fatigued when sucking, resulting in prolonged feeding time or insufficient intake. Feeding difficulties may further affect growth and development, leading to slow weight gain. For feeding difficulties, it is recommended to feed in small amounts and multiple times. If necessary, high-calorie formula milk powder can be used. At the same time, weight and growth curves should be monitored regularly to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

4. Heart murmur is one of the common signs of congenital heart disease in newborns. Abnormal heart sounds can be found by auscultation. Heart murmur is caused by turbulence when blood passes through abnormal channels or narrow parts. It is common in ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and other types. The diagnosis of heart murmur needs to be combined with echocardiography and other examinations to clarify the abnormality of heart structure, and choose surgery or interventional treatment according to the specific situation.

5. Growth retardation is one of the long-term manifestations of congenital heart disease in newborns. Due to heart failure, the blood supply to tissues and organs throughout the body is insufficient, which affects normal growth and development. Growth retardation is manifested as slow weight and height growth, and motor ability lags behind that of children of the same age. In response to growth retardation, it is necessary to strengthen nutritional support while treating heart disease, and conduct rehabilitation training when necessary to promote growth and development.

The symptoms of congenital heart disease in newborns are diverse, and individualized treatment plans need to be developed according to the specific type and severity. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to improving prognosis. Through medication, surgery or interventional treatment, combined with nutritional support and rehabilitation training, symptoms can be effectively improved and the healthy growth of newborns can be promoted.