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If your child has been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, it means he or she was born with a problem in the heart's formation. You may be anxious and worried about your child's immediate and long-term health. Knowing about your child's congenital heart defect can help you understand his or her condition and what to expect in the coming months.       
     
Some congenital heart defects are as simple as a small hole between heart chambers that closes on its own. Other congenital heart defects are more complex and may require several surgeries performed over a period of several years.            
    
Symptoms     
    
Serious congenital heart defects usually become evident during the first few hours, days, weeks and months of life. Signs and symptoms could include:

  • Loss of healthy skin color
  • Pale gray or blue skin color (cyanosis)
  • Swelling in the legs, abdomen or areas around the eyes
  • Shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain
           

Less-serious congenital heart defects are often not diagnosed until later in childhood. Signs and symptoms of congenital heart defects in children age 3 and older include:
                
Easily becoming short of breath during exercise or activity
Easily tiring during exercise or activity
Built-up fluid in the heart or lungs
Swelling in the hands, ankles or feet
       

When To See A Doctor 
               
Serious congenital heart defects are often diagnosed before or soon after your child is born. If you notice that your baby has any of the symptoms above, call your child's doctor.        
      
If your child has any of the symptoms of less-serious heart defects as he or she grows, call your child's doctor. Your child's doctor can let you know if your child's symptoms are due to a heart defect or another medical condition.        
        
You may feel alarmed if you learn your child has a heart murmur, which is a sound that occurs when blood flows through your child's heart abnormally. Many heart murmurs are innocent, meaning the murmur isn't dangerous to your child's health. Some murmurs, however, may mean blood is flowing through your child's heart abnormally because he or she has a heart defect.

Congenital Heart Disease