In the Tetralogy of Fallot, several problems in the heart and vessels coexist. Pulmonary artery stenosis (PS), opening-hole (VSD) between the ventricles in the heart, and displacement of the main artery towards the right ventricle. The most important finding of this disease is bruising, which is noticed in some of the patients when they are born, while there is no bruising at birth in some of the patients, it appears gradually over months. In addition, thickening of the fingertips towards the age of 1 can be added to the findings. In mild patients, bruising may not be seen at all.
How to Diagnose Tetralogy of Fallot in a Child?
The first thing that draws attention in the baby is the bruising on the lips, which gradually increases over the months. The bruising becomes more pronounced during the child's crying. In the baby, bruising and fainting attacks may begin between 3-9 months.
Consciousness changes occur, especially after waking up from sleep or following crying, with a marked darkening of the baby's color, mild distraction, or in severe cases, up to complete fainting. If such a situation has started, the pediatric heart disease specialist should be informed immediately.
To prevent these attacks, preventive medication may be started, and if the drug is not sufficient, surgery may be necessary. It is usually suspected by noticing bruising and hearing a murmur during the examination. Until the time of the operation, a doctor's control is essential in terms of anemia and to prevent fainting, with an interval of 2-3 months. Surgery time can be delayed if necessary and necessary.
How to Treat Tetralogy of Fallot in Child?
Since spontaneous recovery or closure of the opening is not possible in this disease, there is a definite need for surgical correction surgery.
It is generally necessary to apply cardiac catheterization to patients before surgery. In our country, it is now possible to treat this disease at any age. If the pulmonary artery is not well developed in some babies, these vessels should be developed with an auxiliary shunt surgery before corrective surgery.
What Should Be Done for a Child with Tetralogy of Fallot?
Circumcision in patients before and after correction surgery, some interventions such as tooth extraction, dental filling, surgery they need preventive treatment against endocarditis (inflammation of the inner layer of the heart) before.
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