Chennai: While one in 125 babies born worldwide have congenital heart defects (CHDs), paediatric cardiac surgeons say on the positive side that if diagnosed early, the defects can be completely corrected. CHD is a problem with the structure of the heart and is present at birth. With new techniques, it can be diagnosed and treated, said Dr K.R. Balakrishnan, director, cardiac sciences at Fortis Malar Hospital.
The hospital, in association with Aishwarya Trust, recently celebrated the successful completion of 700 cardiac surgeries that have been performed on children from underprivileged sections of society. “With state-of-the-art investigation techniques like foetal echocardiography we can detect heart defects in the womb itself and in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. Defects can also be identified four or five days after birth. Many of these defects need to be followed carefully, else they lead to loss of life,” he explained.
Experts point out the latest transcatheter interventions and its uses. Dr K. Sivakumar, senior consultant and head of department of paediatric cardiology at the Madras Medical Mission, said the major advantage of these interventions in birth defects of the heart lies in avoidance of the use of a heart-lung machine. Patients can avoid scars and can go home in just three or four days after the procedure.
About 78,000 children born with congenital heart disease in India die every year. “A decade ago, it was very difficult to do procedures for these newborns in government hospitals. But now hospitals are well-equipped and many children benefit,” said a government health official. Symptoms of CHD include rapid breathing, cyanosis, a bluish tint to the skin, lips and fingernails, fatigue and poor blood circulation. Many children with CHD do not need treatment, but others do.
