Around nine out of 1,000 babies, or 36,000 American babies a year, are born with a congenital heart defect. While children can develop heart disease, most children with heart disease have congenital defects, the American Heart Association reports. Different types of heart defects cause different symptoms, and some defects may cause such minor symptoms that the defect is diagnosed only during a routine exam by auscultation of a heart murmur.
Respiratory Symptoms
Several types of heart defects can cause respiratory symptoms. Holes between the chambers of the heart, or abnormalities in the blood vessels can deprive the lungs of oxygen, causing respiratory symptoms. Left-sided heart failure causes a backup of blood from the heart into the lungs, Rush University Medical Center states. Children become short of breath with even mild exertion, such as eating. Rapid breathing, chest pain and dizziness from lack of oxygen may also occur. Some children become cyanotic, a bluish tinge to the skin caused by low oxygen levels that's especially visible around the mouth, nails fingers and toes. Anxiety and hyperventilation may accompany feelings of being short of breath.
Poor Growth
Children with heart defects may have difficulty gaining weight, and may be diagnosed with failure-to-thrive syndrome. They may be too tired to eat; babies may fall asleep before finishing their food, or may refuse to eat. High calorie formulas or supplementation, or nasogastric tube feeding may provide more calories with less effort, according to "Moss and Adams' Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Including the Fetus and Young Adults".
Fluid Retention
Heart disease can cause fluid retention that may be especially noticeable in the legs and feet. Edema may also appear around the eyes or between the ribs and hips. Wheezing and cough may accompany fluid congestion in the lungs, and weight gain may occur from the extra fluid.
Other Symptoms
Fatigue, rapid heartbeat and fainting may be symptoms of heart disease in children. Many children become sweaty during any type of exertion, even eating. Older children may need to rest frequently during normal childhood activities, and children with cyanosis may rest in a squatting position that helps them breathe easier, MedlinePlus explains. Children with cyanotic heart defects may also develop clubbing of the fingers and toes, an enlargement of the tips caused by chronic lack of oxygen.
References
- American Heart Association: Congenital Heart Defects in Children
- Moss and Adams' Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Including the Fetus and Young Adult " : Hugh D. Allen, Arthur J. Moss, Forrest H. Adams; 2007
- Children's Hospital of Phildelphia: Symptoms that Might Indicate a Heart Problem
- Rush University of Medical Center: Heart Failure
- MedlinePlus: Cyanotic Heart Disease
