Every February, American Heart Month brings attention to the importance of heart health. But for infants, children, and teens, the journey to a healthy heart often begins long before adulthood. For children, detecting and treating congenital and acquired heart conditions early can change the course of their lives. Whether present at birth or developed over time, heart conditions in children require careful monitoring and expert care.
At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, the Children’s Heart Institute has specialists who are dedicated to identifying and monitoring congenital and acquired heart conditions as early as possible. With advanced diagnostic technologies, specialized surgical care, and innovative treatments, families can feel confident that their child’s heart health is in the best hands from the very beginning.
Congenital Heart Defects: Identifying the Most Common Birth Defect
Congenital heart defects are structural issues in the heart present at birth. Congenital heart defects can range from simple conditions that may resolve without treatment to more complex issues requiring surgical intervention. The sooner a congenital heart condition is detected, the more options there are to manage or treat it.
In some cases, congenital heart defects may be diagnosed during a routine fetal ultrasound performed during pregnancy. In those cases, a pediatric cardiologist can do a specialized ultrasound before the baby is even born, called a fetal echocardiogram. The Fetal Diagnostic Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s offers fetal echocardiography, a safe and non-invasive test that uses ultrasound to assess a baby’s heart while still in the womb. This test can detect structural abnormalities and guide care planning before birth.
Prenatal detection allows us to create a care plan well before the baby is born, which can make a world of difference in outcomes.
If your child’s pediatrician suspects a congenital heart defect after delivery or later in life, one or more of the following diagnostic tests may be ordered for your child at the Children’s Heart Institute:
- Pulse Oximetry: A sensor is used to record the oxygen level in the blood.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Sensors attached to a computer record the electrical activity in the heart.
- Echocardiogram: Sound waves (ultrasound) are used to obtain a 2-D or 3-D moving image of the heart.
- Holter Monitor: A home cardiac monitor incorporated into a small patch that can record heart rhythm abnormalities.
- Chest X-ray: Provide an image of the heart and lungs.
- Cardiac CT or MRI: High-resolution imaging is used to create detailed 2-D and 3-D images of the heart.
- Cardiac Catheterization: A minimally invasive procedure using specialized catheters to diagnose or treat heart conditions.
Beyond early diagnosis and monitoring, Miller Children’s & Women’s offers advanced, minimally invasive treatment options for congenital and acquired heart conditions. For many children, cardiac catheterization provides a life-changing alternative to open-heart surgery, allowing for quicker recovery and fewer complications.
Catheterization Lab and Advanced Interventions at Miller Children’s & Women’s
At Miller Children’s & Women’s, our pediatric heart patients benefit from a shared catheterization lab with Long Beach Medical Center, featuring advanced bi-plane imaging technology. This advanced system provides high-resolution, real-time 3D imaging, enabling our pediatric cardiologists to visualize the intricate structures of an infant’s heart, which can be as small as a walnut. This enhanced visualization is crucial for determining the most effective treatment strategies for each child’s unique condition.
Our catheterization lab allows for a range of minimally invasive procedures, offering alternatives to traditional open-heart surgery. These interventions include:
- Closing heart defects: Utilizing specialized devices to seal openings such as atrial or ventricular septal defects.
- Widening narrowed pathways: Employing balloons or stents to expand constricted blood vessels or valves, improving blood flow.
- Valve replacement: Inserting new valves via catheterization techniques, reducing the need for extensive surgical procedures.
For children facing severe heart or lung failure, we are among the select children’s hospitals in the region equipped with a dedicated pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine. This lifesaving technology provides temporary heart and lung support, allowing critically ill patients’ organs to rest and recover. ECMO services typically are used cases such as complex congenital heart defects, post-operative recovery from cardiac surgeries, and acute heart failure resulting from conditions like myocarditis.
Our Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), located in the north wing of the Cherese Mari Laulhere Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), is specifically designed to care for infants and children recovering from cardiac surgeries or those requiring advanced interventions like ECMO. By utilizing these advanced tools and interventions, our care teams can provide safer, more effective treatments with faster recovery times.
At Miller Children’s & Women’s, our multidisciplinary team is committed to delivering high-quality, family-centered care, ensuring that each child receives comprehensive support throughout their treatment journey.
Types of Congenital Heart Defects
Common congenital heart defects include:
- Atrial Septal Defect: A hole in the wall between the upper heart chambers.
- Ventricular Septal Defect: A hole is the wall between the lower heart chambers.
- Tetralogy of Fallot: A combination of four heart defects affecting blood flow.
- Coarctation of the Aorta: A narrowing of the aorta.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus: An open blood vessel that should close after birth.
Acquired Heart Defects: Conditions That Develop Over Time
While congenital heart defects are present at birth, acquired heart defects develop after birth due to factors such as infectious, autoimmune diseases or trauma. Although less common in children than adults, they can have serious consequences and require timely intervention.
Common types of acquired heart defects in children include:
- Rheumatic Heart Disease: Damage to the heart valves caused by severe or untreated rheumatic fever, which is a complication of strep throat.
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by viral infections.
- Kawasaki Disease: A condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels and can lead to coronary artery aneurysms if not treated early. It is a leading cause of acquired heart defects in children.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, often due to viral infections or autoimmune conditions.
- Hypertension: Though less common in children, high blood pressure can lead to long-term heart damage if not managed properly.
The key to managing acquired heart conditions is early diagnosis and treatment. Parents should be vigilant about symptoms and ensure regular pediatric check-ups.
Empowering Parents to Recognize the Signs
While some heart conditions are detected prenatally or during routine checkups, parents play a vital role in monitoring their child’s heart health.
Symptoms in Infants:
- Blue or gray skin tone, especially around the lips or fingertips
- Difficulty feeding or poor weight gain
- Rapid breathing or sweating during feeding
- Unusual fatigue or lack of energy
Symptoms in Older Children and Teens:
- Difficulty keeping up with peers during physical activities
- Complaints of chest pain or discomfort during exercise
- Dizziness or fainting episodes
- Persistent shortness of breath
- Unexplained fatigue or weakness
- Irregular or racing heartbeat
If parents or guardians notice these symptoms, seeking medical evaluation is crucial. It’s important to note that congenital defects will often present with physical symptoms, while acquired conditions may develop more subtly, with inflammatory symptoms such as fever or chest pain.
A Heart-Healthy Future Starts Early
Through early detection and expert care, the Heart Institute at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital helps families navigate congenital heart defects with confidence and hope. By identifying heart issues early, the care team sets the stage for healthier, happier lives for children of all ages.
Even if your child isn’t born with a congenital heart defect, it’s still important to prioritize their heart health from an early age. Parents can help promote a lifetime of good heart health by:
- Encouraging Physical Activity: Aim for at least 60 minutes of movement daily.
- Providing a Balanced Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Limiting Sugary Drinks: Water and milk are healthier alternatives to soda and sugary juices.
- Avoiding Secondhand Smoke: Ensure your child grows up in a smoke-free environment.
- Regular Checkups: Keep up with annual well-child visits to monitor heart health and overall growth.
- Model Healthy Behaviors: Children often mirror their parents’ habits. By eating well, being active consistently and prioritizing your health, you set a positive example for them to follow.
- Limiting Screen Time: Too much screen time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Set limits on how much time your child spends on electronic devices and encourage them to participate in active play instead.
- Mental and Emotional Wellness: Encourage activities that reduce stress and support your child’s emotional health, which can positively
By fostering heart-healthy habits early, parents can help set the foundation for their child’s lifelong well-being.
Comprehensive Cardiac Care, Close to Home
The Children’s Heart Institute at Miller Children’s & Women’s provides total heart care for infants, children, and young adults. Whether treating congenital or acquired heart conditions, our team offers:
- Advanced diagnostics, including fetal echocardiography.
- Cardiac catheterization and bi-plane imaging.
- Pediatric ECMO for lifesaving heart-lung support.
- Specialized CTICU for complex cardiac conditions.
- Multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, surgeons, nurses and child life specialists.
This February, as we observe American Heart Month, let’s celebrate the resilience of children with heart conditions and commit to promoting healthy hearts for all. With early detection, expert care, and proactive planning, we can help our children live long, healthy, and happy lives.
If you suspect your child may have a congenital heart condition, schedule an appointment with our team at the Children’s Heart Institute at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
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