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Post by kokie on Apr 1, 2005 14:20:27 GMT -5
If the baby has a perfect heart at birth, as determined by an echocardiograph, can he develop heart problems later? Or, will he always have a perfect heart? Do DS heart problems develop later?
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Post by kristin on Apr 1, 2005 14:39:02 GMT -5
Good question! And one we asked many times, after it was determined at birth that Cole had an AV Canal defect. Even after it was repaired, we asked this question, with the hopes that we wouldn't have to go through this again.
I am not a doctor, but my understanding is that most DS heart defects are situations where something has not formed properly, prenatally. (missing or malformed chambers, septal defects, etc.) As far as I know, these types of defects CANNOT "develop". They are present at birth, and require correction in many cases. Some minor defects may correct themselves ( minor atrial defects, PDA) but not always, and should be monitored closely in all cases.
Other conditions of the heart may develop, (just like in ANY person) but I don't think that the type of defect that DS children can be born with happen "after the fact". This is not to say that if they have a heart condition they might not be susceptible to other troubles with their heart, but if born with a normally developed heart, it was explained to us that there would be no reason to worry about their heart in the future, barring any detrimental event or trauma over the course of life.
Hope this helps, but again, I am not the expert on this -- it is just my understanding after spending time before, during, and after heart surgery asking the cardiologists MILLIONS of questions!!
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Post by Emilysmom on Apr 1, 2005 21:30:21 GMT -5
We were also told by our daughter's cardiologist at when she was born that she had NO heart defects. My first question....and lol, a question I asked many more times just to be sure......was "Is there any chance she will develop any type of heart problem"? His response was always "No". About a year ago, at the Down syndrome clinic, she again had an echocardiogram and the doctor once again assured me that her heart was just fine. I hope this helps, Susan
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Post by christie on Apr 1, 2005 22:11:06 GMT -5
YES as with anyone, heart conditions can arise even if the heart was fine when born BUT it would not arise just due to DS, KWIM Chris has a few heart problems BUT his main heart condition has not a thing to due with DS. CC ~
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Post by Kristen on Apr 2, 2005 19:34:02 GMT -5
Nope! You're in the clear!
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Post by Alice on Apr 4, 2005 7:16:22 GMT -5
First of all, I would like to welcome you here! You are wonderful carrying person! Second, I hope too that if child was born with out any heart problems it will never develop. And last, I hope for kids who had problems would never have them again...
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Post by DereksMom on Apr 4, 2005 21:23:36 GMT -5
Derek has Ds related heart defects but he also has a couple that are not common for DS. As for the holes, blockages and valve issues, sometimes they are missed and can be diagnosed later on but that does not mean that they develop later on. If they are there and not treated they can cause further issues with the heart (ie:enlargement)
Hugs
Allison
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Post by wrblack on Apr 9, 2005 8:00:08 GMT -5
From www.denison.edu/collaborations/dsq/health99.html<< Cardiac: Congenital heart disease is reported to occur in 30 - 60% of children with DS. Ventricular septal defects and complete atrioventricular septal defects are among the most common. A serious cardiac defect may be present in the absence of a murmur because of the increased tendency of children with DS to develop early increases in pulmonary vascular resistance which reduces the left to right intracardiac shunt, minimizes the heart murmur, and prevents symptoms of heart failure and respiratory problems. Children with DS with a significant cardiac defect who seem to be doing clinically well or getting better, especially during the first 8 months of life, may be developing serious pulmonary vascular changes. Timely surgery, frequently during the first 6 months of life, may be necessary to prevent serious complications. Therefore, all infants and children need to have an evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist, preferably before three months of age, which should include an echocardiogram. In some tertiary care centers, an echocardiogram alone is satisfactory when it will be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist. If this is not available, a full evaluation by a pediatric cardiologist is mandatory. For the older child, who has never had a cardiac evaluation and who has no signs of cardiac disease, a screening echo-cardiogram is recommended. Adolescents and young adults with no known intracardiac disease can develop valve dysfunction and should be evaluated by clinical examination at age 18, especially prior to dental or surgical procedures. [See References, Section G, Geggel RL, et al.] There is a 57% incidence of mitral valve prolapse and approximately a 10% risk of aortic regurgitation. The finding of a click or murmur should be followed by an echocardiogram. Susceptible individuals will need SBE prophylaxis. >>
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Post by laurasnowbird on Apr 10, 2005 19:30:55 GMT -5
We were told the same thing by our pediatric cardiologist, that a rather startling percentage of kids with DS develop mitral valve prolapse during the adolescent years, and that Ethan would need to be screened for it when he was older.
However, as someone who has a mitral valve prolapse, it isn't generally anything to get freaked out about. Most don't amount to much of anything, but it is VERY important to take antibiotics prior to getting teeth cleanings done, or any involved work in your mouth that might make your gums bleed.
My cardiologist said they suspect there are lots of adults out there with undiagnosed mitral valve prolapse!
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