What are the symptoms of ventricular septal defect in newborns?

Ventricular septal defect in newborns is a congenital heart disease that needs to be taken seriously. It is recommended to seek medical attention for comprehensive evaluation as soon as possible. Its symptoms include shortness of breath, feeding difficulties, slow growth and development, etc. In severe cases, heart failure may occur. The specific symptoms should be judged in combination with the size and location of the defect.

1. Shortness of breath and feeding difficulties

Ventricular septal defect can cause abnormal blood circulation in newborns, that is, arterial blood and venous blood mix, causing excessive burden on the heart and increasing blood flow to the lungs. This situation may cause newborns to have shortness of breath, especially when they are active or crying. At the same time, due to the increased burden on the heart, many children will have feeding difficulties, get tired easily when feeding, or eat very little. Parents need to closely observe whether their babies have similar situations. If they occur frequently, they should seek medical attention immediately.

2. Symptoms of growth retardation

Long-term high energy consumption and difficulty in nutrient absorption may lead to slow weight gain and low height of newborns. Due to insufficient blood oxygen supply, some children may have relatively pale skin or mild cyanosis, especially around the lips or nails. This appearance change often indicates hypoxia.

3. Symptoms related to heart failure

More serious ventricular septal defects may cause the left and right ventricles of the heart to be overloaded, and heart function may be gradually impaired, leading to signs of heart failure, such as obvious sweating, cold limbs, fatigue when sucking milk, and even worsening breathing difficulties and increased heart rate in severe cases. Such symptoms are serious signals and must be sent to the doctor immediately.

4. Heart murmur detected by auscultation

The characteristic sign of ventricular septal defect is often a heart murmur found during auscultation. Doctors can preliminarily determine the size and location of the defect based on the characteristics of the heart murmur. Further cardiac ultrasound examination can confirm the diagnosis.

Newborn ventricular septal defects do not necessarily require immediate surgical treatment, but it depends on the size of the defect, the severity of symptoms, and whether it affects the quality of life. Small defects can gradually close over time, and doctors may recommend conservative observation and drug treatment, such as the use of diuretics or drugs that enhance heart function. For larger defects or defects that cannot close on their own, surgical repair may be required within the time recommended by the doctor. Surgical procedures include open repair surgery, minimally invasive interventional closure surgery, etc.

If a newborn is suspected of having ventricular septal defect, parents should take the baby to a specialist hospital for examination as soon as possible, confirm the diagnosis through electrocardiogram, cardiac ultrasound, etc., and develop the best treatment plan to ensure the baby's healthy growth.