In the UK, one in every 133 children is born with a heart condition. Also known as a heart defect or congenital heart disease, it’s the most common birth defect today.

But how do you know if your child has heart problems? And what are the risk factors, treatments and causes of congenital heart disease? We’ve put together this guide to help you and your loved ones gain a better understanding of common heart conditions in children – and how to get support.

Types of congenital heart disease

Let’s begin with a definition. Congenital heart disease is the name given to a group of various heart abnormalities at birth. This can include issues with the heart valves, blood vessels, or how the heart is formed (such as a hole in the heart).

Some common congenital heart conditions include ventricular septal defect, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and coarctation of the aorta. Many times, babies are born with several different defects - many of which won’t need treatment.

What causes congenital heart disease?

It might surprise you to know that the cause of congenital heart disease is unknown in up to 80% of cases. That being said, it could be the result of environmental factors (such as smoking, alcohol consumption or medication during pregnancy) or genetic mutations. Whatever the cause, congenital heart defects tend to appear within the first six weeks of pregnancy, when the embryo’s heart and vessels start forming.

Other common heart conditions in children

Not all heart conditions are present at birth. Some kids might develop a heart problem later on – known as an acquired heart defect. There are four common types of this:

1. Rheumatic heart disease: damage to the heart muscle and valves as a result of rheumatic fever.
2. Cardiomyopathy: heart muscle disease caused by an infection or genetic disorder.
3. Myocarditis: inflammation of the heart muscle after a viral infection.
4. Kawasaki disease: an illness that damages the heart muscle or arteries.

Heart condition symptoms in children

You might be wondering how to know if your child has heart problems. These are some of the symptoms you might spot in a baby:

• Feeding difficulties and weight gain
• Short or rapid breath
• Blue skin, lips and nails (cyanosis)
• Poor circulation and swollen legs, hands or stomach
• Heart murmur
• Fatigue

In older children, you might notice fainting or breathlessness during or after physical activity, ongoing chest infections, or difficulty keeping up with others.

If you’re concerned, see your GP. Some severe heart conditions will be picked up on during pregnancy, but most are diagnosed with a simple test in childhood or even adulthood. This might be a chest x-ray, ECG (electrocardiogram) or ultrasound.

Treatments for heart disease in kids

It’s understandable to be concerned about how a heart condition will affect your child’s life. And you might be worried about the life expectancy for a child with a congenital heart defect.

So it might be comforting to know most conditions clear up on their own, while some are easily treated with medicine. Heart surgery, a catheter or heart transplant are less common.

Rest assured, most kids go on to have healthy, long lives. After treatment, your child’s doctor or paediatric cardiologist will be able to let you know what activities they can do. But chances are they will be able to enjoy life like their peers, with lifelong monitoring and management.

Where to get support

If your child has been diagnosed with a heart condition or defect, you may be wondering where to go for more information and support. Their GP or paediatric cardiologist will be able to assist, as well as local support groups.

Online resources from reputable sources, such as leading UK charities, can also help you better understand your child’s condition, as well as normal heart rate and functioning.

A MedicAlert membership and an ID are great supports to help your child live safely and independently, with 24/7 protection when they need it most. It ensures that their vital medical information can be identifited by those providing care in an emergency, allowing them to provide appropriate treatment without delay, so you can have peace of mind they’re always in the safest possible hands. If you'd like some tips on how to encourage your child to embrace wearing an ID, read our post here. 

Sources:

Congenital Heart Foundation