What are the symptoms of ventricular septal defect in newborns?

Newborns with ventricular septal defect need to seek medical attention promptly to diagnose the extent of the disease and choose appropriate treatment methods.

Ventricular septal defect is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in newborns. It refers to an abnormal hole in the muscle wall between the left and right ventricles of the heart, which causes mixed blood of oxygen and carbon dioxide to circulate between each other, affecting the oxygen supply to the heart and the whole body. The severity of the disease varies depending on the size and location of the hole. Some may heal on their own, while others require surgical intervention.

The accompanying symptoms may vary. Small holes usually have no obvious symptoms, while larger holes may cause feeding difficulties, shortness of breath, sweating, and blue lips when crying. Some babies may experience growth retardation or recurrent respiratory infections, which are usually related to abnormal blood flow that increases the workload on the heart.

If parents find the above symptoms, they should take their children to a professional medical institution for examination and diagnosis as soon as possible. In daily life, they need to closely observe the newborn's eating, breathing and activities, arrange vaccinations reasonably, and provide care and regular follow-up under the guidance of a doctor to ensure that changes in symptoms are discovered and handled in a timely manner.