Symptoms of Heart Disease in Children
Aug 24, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Man
Introduction
Pediatric heart disease may present with symptoms such as dyspnea, feeding difficulties, cyanosis, excessive sweating, and shortness of breath at birth, as well as more severe manifestations—including fatigue and syncope—that pose life-threatening risks. Children with severe acquired heart disease may exhibit pallor, poor growth and development, dyspnea, cyanotic lips and nails, frequent colds, and increased susceptibility to pneumonia.
Heart disease is a condition associated with high mortality and significant risk. Most individuals fall ill without being aware they have heart disease, which directly contributes to its high fatality rate. To reduce this risk, it is essential to understand the disease and assess whether one may be affected. So, what are the symptoms of congenital heart disease in infants?
Symptoms of Pediatric Heart Disease
Common symptoms of pediatric heart disease include dyspnea (shortness of breath), feeding difficulties, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes), excessive sweating, and respiratory distress at birth. More severe manifestations may include fatigue and syncope (fainting), which pose life-threatening risks. In children with acquired heart disease, severe cases may present with pallor, poor growth and development, dyspnea, cyanotic lips, cyanotic nails, frequent colds, and increased susceptibility to pneumonia. In more critical cases, infants may develop dyspnea, syncope, and cyanosis following physical activity—symptoms that endanger life. Severe heart disease can readily lead to heart failure, clinically characterized by reduced cardiac output and congestion in both the pulmonary and systemic circulations.
Some infants with congenital heart disease frequently exhibit feeding difficulties—for example, markedly decreased volume per breastfeeding session, increased feeding frequency, or weaker or less frequent suckling. In certain cases, infants may fail to gain weight or show slow weight gain. Particularly common in left-to-right shunt congenital heart defects, increased pulmonary blood flow may correlate with compromised immunity, predisposing these infants to recurrent respiratory infections such as tracheitis and pneumonia—and even respiratory failure. Some infants may cry excessively at night and sweat profusely. Infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease may display cyanosis, bluish lips, and even clubbing of the fingers.
It is recommended to feed patiently, offering small, frequent meals to prevent choking and respiratory distress. A salt-free or low-salt diet should be adopted according to individual clinical needs. We hope this information is helpful to you.
