Types of Heart Disease in Children
Congenital heart disease in young people
It is already a challenge when adults are affected by heart disease, but the consequences can be even more devastating when children are affected.
Children are susceptible to experiencing a wide variety of cardiac conditions. These conditions can range from those that are present at birth, such as congenital heart defects, to those that develop later in childhood as a result of illnesses or genetic syndromes, such as acquired heart disease.
The good news is that because to developments in medicine and technology, a significant number of youngsters who are diagnosed with heart disease go on to lead normal, productive lives.
Disease of the heart present at birth
Congenital heart disease, also known as CHD, is a form of heart disease that affects infants and children and is typically brought on by heart defects that are already present at the time of birth. It is estimated that one percent of kids born each year in the United States have congenital heart disease (CHD).
The following are examples of CHDs that afflict children:
- Abnormalities of the heart valves, such as a constriction of the aortic valve, which inhibits the flow of blood in the body
- hypo plastic left heart syndrome, a condition in which the left side of the heart does not develop properly.
- diseases that cause holes in the heart, most frequently in the walls that separate the chambers and those that separate the major blood arteries that leave the heart, such as the following:
- Ventricular septal defects
- Atrial septal defects
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four different birth abnormalities, including the following:
- A perforation in the wall of the ventricle
- A narrowing of the passageway that connects the right ventricle with the pulmonary artery
- Enlargement of the chamber on the right side of the heart
- A displaced aorta
Abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth are referred to as congenital heart defects. Surgical techniques, procedures involving catheters, medicines, and, in extreme circumstances, heart transplants are used to address these conditions.
Certain youngsters will need to be followed and treated continuously throughout their entire lives.
Atherosclerosis
The accumulation of cholesterol and fatty plaques inside arteries is referred to as atherosclerosis. This condition can be fatal. The accumulation causes a stiffening and narrowing of the arteries, which raises the risk of both blood clots and heart attacks. The development of atherosclerosis normally takes a substantial amount of time. It is quite uncommon for children or adolescents to be affected by it.
However, children who are overweight or obese, have diabetes or hypertension, or have other health problems are at a greater risk. Children who have risk factors such as a family history of heart disease or diabetes and who are overweight or obese should have routine screenings for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, as recommended by their pediatricians.
Changes in lifestyle, such as increased activity and dietary adjustments, are often required as part of the treatment.
Arrhythmias
A condition in which the heart beats in an irregular rhythm is known as arrhythmia. Because of this, the heart may pump with less force than normal.
Children are susceptible to a wide variety of different forms of arrhythmias, including the following:
- A rapid pulse rate (tachycardia), with supraventricular tachycardia being the most prevalent kind identified in children who have this condition
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- A sluggish rate of heartbeat (bradycardia)
- Long Q-T Syndrome (LQTS) (LQTS)
- The condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW syndrome)
Among the possible symptoms are:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- fainting
- Difficulty in Consuming Food
Treatments are determined by the specific form of arrhythmia as well as the degree to which it is impacting the child’s health.
Kawasaki disease
In children, the blood vessels in their hands, feet, mouth, lips, and neck may become inflamed if they have the uncommon disease known as Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that primarily affects young children. A fever and an enlargement of the lymph nodes are additional symptoms of this condition. The researchers are still unsure as to what the root of the problem is.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a trusted source, the disease is a major contributing factor in the development of heart diseases in as many as one in every four youngsters. The majority are younger than 5 years old.
However, immediate therapy with intravenous gamma globulin or aspirin is typically required, although this will vary depending on the severity of the condition (Bufferin). In certain cases, corticosteroids can help prevent further difficulties. Children who are diagnosed with this illness frequently have to go to follow-up appointments for the rest of their lives in order to monitor their heart health.
Heart murmurs
A heart murmur is a “whooshing” sound that can be heard when blood is moving through the chambers or valves of the heart, or via blood arteries that are located close to the heart. In most cases, it poses no danger. At other instances, it may be an indicator of an underlying problem with the cardiovascular system.
Heart murmurs can be brought on by congenital heart defects (CHDs), fever, or anemia. When a doctor listens to a child’s heart and detects an abnormal heart murmur, they will do additional tests to ensure that the heart is in good health. Murmurs in the heart that aren’t caused by anything serious normally go away on their own, but if the murmur is caused by a problem with the heart, it may require additional treatment.
Pericarditis
This ailment manifests itself when the thin sac or membrane that surrounds the heart (known medically as the pericardium) develops an infection or inflammation. The amount of fluid that is trapped between its two layers grows, which makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood as efficiently as it should.
It is possible to develop pericarditis following surgery to repair a CHD; however, the condition can also be brought on by bacterial infections, chest trauma, or connective tissue illnesses such as lupus. The severity of the sickness, the age of the kid, and the child’s overall health all play a role in determining the appropriate treatment.
Heart disease caused by rheumatic fever
The streptococcus bacteria, which are responsible for strep throat and scarlet fever, can also induce rheumatic heart disease if the infection is allowed to go untreated.
This condition has the potential to cause severe and long-lasting damage to the heart muscle as well as the heart valves (by causing heart muscle inflammation, known as myocarditis). According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, rheumatic fever most commonly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15, however the signs of rheumatic heart disease don’t typically manifest themselves until between 10 and 20 years after the initial sickness. Rheumatic fever and the rheumatic heart disease that often follows it are now extremely rare in the United States.
By treating strep throat with antibiotics as soon as possible, one can avoid contracting this disease.
Infections caused by viruses
In addition to producing illnesses of the respiratory system or the flu, viruses can also have an effect on the health of the heart. Infections caused by viruses can result in myocarditis, a condition that can impair the capacity of the heart to pump blood through the rest of the body.
Infections caused by viruses are uncommon and may display minimal symptoms when they do occur. When symptoms do arise, they are similar to those that are associated with the flu. These symptoms include feelings of exhaustion, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. Myocarditis is treated with a combination of medicines and other therapies that target the symptoms of the condition.