Tetralogy of Fallot is a genetic and congenital heart disease that occurs due to four changes in the heart that interfere with its functioning and reduce the amount of blood pumped and therefore the amount of oxygen that reaches the tissues.
For example, children with this heart disturbance usually have a bluish color throughout the skin due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues, and rapid changes in breathing and growth may also occur.
- Although tetralogy of Fallot is not cured.
- It is important that it is identified and treated on the advice of the doctor to improve symptoms and promote the quality of life of the child.
Symptoms of tetralogy of Fallot may vary depending on the degree of heart changes, but the most common symptoms include:
These symptoms may not appear until after 2 months of age, and therefore, if observed, the pediatrician should be informed immediately for tests, such as an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram or chest x-ray, to evaluate heart function and identify the disease. problem, if there is.
If your baby has a lot of breathing problems, he or she should be placed on his or her side and bending his or her knees against his or her chest to improve blood circulation.
Treatment for tetralogy of Fallot consists of surgery, which may vary depending on the severity of the change and the age of the baby. Therefore, the two main types of surgery to treat tetralogy of Fallot are:
This is the main type of treatment for tetralogy of Fallot, which is done with the heart open to allow the doctor to correct heart changes and improve blood circulation, alleviating all symptoms.
This surgery is usually performed during the first year of the baby’s life, when the first symptoms are discovered and the diagnosis is confirmed.
Although the most commonly used surgery is intracardiac repair, your doctor may recommend temporary surgery for babies who are too small or too weak to have major surgery.
Therefore, the surgeon makes only a small incision in the artery to allow blood to pass through the lungs, thus improving oxygen levels.
However, this surgery is not definitive and only allows the baby to continue to grow and develop for a while, until he or she can undergo intracardiac repair surgery.
In most cases, babies undergo reconstructive surgery without any problems, however, in some cases, complications such as arrhythmias or aortic artery dilation may occur. In such cases, it may be necessary to take heart medications or have additional surgery to correct problems.
In addition, since it is a heart problem, it is important that the child is always evaluated by a cardiologist throughout his development, to perform regular physical examinations and adapt his activities for example.