How large can an infant's atrial septal defect be and still heal on its own?
Disease description:
My baby is 1 year old. An atrial septal defect was found during a physical examination, and I'm very concerned. Could you please tell me by what age can an atrial septal defect in children heal on its own?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Jianbin
Under normal circumstances, infants with atrial septal defects (ASD) may experience spontaneous closure when the defect size is around 3–4 millimeters; this typically occurs by approximately one and a half years of age. Defects measuring 3–5 millimeters may also close spontaneously, but the likelihood of self-resolution is lower. Depending on the size of the infant's atrial septal defect, it is recommended to return to the hospital for a follow-up echocardiogram after six months to determine whether surgical closure is necessary.
