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How to Keep Your Child’s Hearth Healthy Before and After Birth?

September 19, 2023

High blood pressure abstract concept vector illustration. Hypertension disease, blood pressure control, monitor, examination in hospital, tonometer, heart attack, arteria strain abstract metaphor.

Your child’s heart is a precious and delicate treasure for all your family, deserving of the utmost care and attention when required. Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev, MD (Pediatrics), FNB (Pediatric Cardiology), is a distinguished pediatric cardiologist and the Director of the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Dr. Sachdev is committed to safeguarding and enhancing the heart health of children. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore detailed strategies and insights on how to ensure a healthy child’s heart before and after birth, as well as the necessary steps to take if any heart complications are detected post-birth.

Before Birth: Prenatal Heart Health

Prenatal heart health is the foundation upon which a child’s cardiovascular well-being is built. Dr. Sachdev firmly believes that a proactive approach to prenatal care can significantly impact the heart health of the developing fetus.

1. Prenatal Care: Prenatal care is the initial step in the journey to a healthy heart before birth. Dr. Sachdev emphasizes that regular check-ups during pregnancy are paramount. Ideally, prenatal care should begin as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. Specialized tests, such as fetal echocardiography, can detect congenital heart defects early on, enabling timely interventions and personalized care plans.

2. Genetic Counselling: For families with a history of heart problems or genetic predispositions, genetic counselling becomes crucial. Dr. Sachdev’s expertise in pediatric cardiology allows him to provide comprehensive guidance, enabling informed family planning decisions and managing potential hereditary heart issues.

3. Maternal Health: A mother’s lifestyle choices during pregnancy can significantly impact fetal heart development. Dr. Sachdev underscores the importance of expectant mothers adopting a well-rounded approach to prenatal care. This includes maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, engaging in safe physical activity, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol. Stress management techniques can also positively impact fetal heart development.

During Birth: Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Arrival

Dr. Sachdev’s commitment to heart health extends to ensuring a safe delivery process for newborns.

1. Skilled Delivery Team: Dr. Sachdev’s experience and proficiency enable him to collaborate effectively with delivery teams. This ensures that any heart-related issues that may arise during childbirth are addressed promptly and with precision.

2. Immediate Evaluation: Newborns occasionally require immediate evaluation and intervention for congenital heart defects. Dr. Sachdev’s adeptness in pediatric cardiology ensures timely assessments. This facilitates necessary interventions to support the child’s heart health right from the start.

After Birth: Nurturing a Healthy Heart

Once a child enters the world, the journey of nurturing a healthy heart continues. Ways to check and keep a healthy child’s heart can be: –

1. Early Detection: Regular pediatric check-ups are the cornerstone of maintaining a healthy heart after birth. Dr. Sachdev’s specialized department at Fortis Memorial Research Institute excels in the detection and management of heart conditions in infants and children. Routine monitoring is essential to ensure any potential issues are identified and addressed promptly.

2. Vaccinations: Certain infections, such as rheumatic fever, can lead to heart problems if left untreated. Dr. Sachdev advocates for adhering to the recommended vaccination schedule. Vaccines can help prevent these infections, reducing the risk of heart-related complications.

3. Healthy Lifestyle: Promoting a heart-healthy lifestyle from an early age is instrumental in preventing heart disease later in life. Dr. Sachdev encourages parents to foster an environment that encourages a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and a smoke-free atmosphere.

If Heart Complications Are Detected After Birth, Do Not Worry.

In some cases where heart complications are detected post-birth, parents should never panic but rather follow these steps:

1. Consultation with a Pediatric Cardiologist: Seek immediate consultation with a pediatric cardiologist like Dr. Sachdev, who can conduct a thorough evaluation, including imaging tests and diagnostic procedures, to assess the nature and severity of the heart condition.

2. Treatment Plan: Based on the diagnosis, the pediatric cardiologist will develop a customized treatment plan. This may include medications, cardiac catheterization procedures, or surgical interventions, depending on the specific condition of the diagnosed child.

3. Family Education: Dr. Sachdev believes in empowering families with information about the heart condition, treatment options, and long-term care requirements. It’s crucial for parents to understand the condition and actively participate in their child’s care.

4. Supportive Care: In many cases, ongoing care and regular follow-ups are necessary. Dr. Sachdev and his team provide comprehensive support to families, including addressing any concerns and monitoring the child’s progress.

It is very hard for a parent to understand and face the fact that their newborn has innate heart complications. During these rough times, parents should never drop hope and be persistent toward their family’s collective goal of eliminating the problem from the root. Modern medical advancements will definitely help in eradicating newborn heart complications. Parents should always and only follow the right procedure which is prescribed by an expert doctor in this field like Dr. Sachdev, to give their newborn a healthy and heart-wealthy future.

Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev’s dedication to safeguarding pediatric heart health is marked by his comprehensive approach and unwavering commitment to excellence. With his extensive training, including a National Board Pediatric Cardiology fellowship and invaluable experience in esteemed institutions, he stands as a beacon of hope for families seeking to ensure their child’s heart remains healthy. By following Dr. Sachdev’s guidance, parents and caregivers can proactively take measures to protect their child’s heart. In cases where heart complications are detected, timely intervention and expert care can significantly improve outcomes, offering children the opportunity for a vibrant and thriving future. Dr. Sachdev’s holistic approach ensures that every child has the best chance for a healthy heart, from prenatal care to birth and beyond.

What is a Blue Baby Syndrome? – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

by isols-nanhedil

February 21, 2023

Infant Methemoglobinemia is popularly known as the blue baby syndrome, wherein the baby appears to be blue as the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen because of less hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin, an essential protein for the blood that helps the blood carry necessary oxygen, is sometimes found in reduced quantities in the baby’s blood. This results in the blood’s inability to carry oxygen. That is why the baby’s skin turns blue because of the absence of oxygen-rich blood. This condition is termed the blue baby syndrome, which is very common in developing countries and rural areas. If you live around Delhi-NCR, you must consult a good pediatric cardiologist in Gurgaon if anything like this occurs.

What are the Reasons for Blue Baby Syndrome?
In a normal human body, the blood goes into the lungs to get oxygen, which is distributed in every part of the body. However, with certain heart defects and a reduced hemoglobin level, the blood is deprived of enough oxygen to send to the cells, tissues, and organs. Such a condition causes the blue skin in the baby, which means the blood in the baby is oxygen-deprived. Some other causes of Infant Methemoglobinemia or Blue Baby Syndrome are-

1. Tetralogy of Fallot– Tetralogy of Fallot or TOF is a congenital heart defect that roughly means four types of heart defects that causes oxygen-poor blood to flow in the baby’s body due to reduced blood flow. The four defects are:
· A hole between the ventricles.
· Displacement of the aorta.
· An increased thickness in the wall of the right ventricle.
· A blockage in the valve joining the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries.
You must go for regular check-ups at an expert cardiologist in Gurgaon to treat such a heart condition.

2. Methemoglobinemia- This is a heart condition in babies under 6 months old wherein an excessive amount of methemoglobin is produced. The nitrate in the body gets converted to nitrite and mixed with the blood to form methemoglobin. Methemoglobin is a form of haemoglobin that cannot release oxygen to the cells, which causes the babies to turn blue. Consulting the best pediatric cardiologist in Gurgaon at the earliest can help treat the condition well.

3. Gestational Diabetes– This type of diabetes develops during the gestational period because of uncontrolled blood sugar in pregnancy.

Other causes of the blue baby syndrome include other heart defects like Pulmonary atresia, Tricuspid atresia, Pulmonary hypertension, Truncus arteriosus, transpositional arteries, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, etc.

Signs of Blue Baby Syndrome
Identifying a blue baby syndrome or Infant Methemoglobinemia is easy as the most common sign of such a heart condition is the hands, feet and the area around the mouth getting a bluish tinge. The most common symptom of blue baby syndrome is a blue discolouration of the skin around the mouth, hands, and feet. This condition is called cyanosis, which means

the baby’s blood lacks enough oxygen. If your baby shows one or more of the following signs, you must take them to a good pediatric cardiologist in Gurgaon if you live nearby.
Some of the other symptoms of Blue Baby Syndrome are-
. Tiredness
· Not being able to feed properly
· Unstable temperament issue
· Poor weight gain
· Poor development
· Deformity of fingers and toes.
· Breathing issues and shortness of breath.
· Nausea and vomiting
· Diarrhoea
· Sudden fainting
· Abnormality is saliva production.
· Seizures

Diagnosis Procedures
When a doctor receives a complaint that an infant is going through one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, they first note down their medical history, followed by physical examinations. A Paediatrician conducts various tests to confirm the reason behind such a health condition. The tests that are performed on the baby are-
· Several blood tests are to see the functioning of the heart.
. An X-ray of the chest to understand the condition of the lungs and the heart.
. Electrocardiogram to examine the electrical activities of the baby’s heart.
. Echocardiogram to further check if there is any deformity in the heart.
· A pulse oximetry is to determine the oxygen saturation in the blood.

After performing all these tests, doctors can determine if the baby is suffering from Infant Methemoglobinemia and the reasons behind it. After that, the baby is referred to the best pediatric cardiologist in Gurgaon or any other city to have the treatment started.

Treatment for Blue Baby Syndrome

Expert cardiologists follow two types of treatment procedures. These are-

1. Surgical Way of Treating Blue Baby Syndrome –
In case the reason is a congenital heart defect, a surgical process is recommended. The doctors suggest an Intra-Cardiac Corrective repair of tetralogy to repair of the ventricular septal deformity. This will help the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta without any restrictions. This surgical procedure also fixes the thickened pulmonary valve and enlarges the pulmonary arteries to increase the blood flow to the lungs.

2. Medicinal Way of Treating Blue Baby Syndrome –
The medical way is to take an intravenous Methylene Blue to treat the blue baby syndrome and take preventive measures like avoiding consuming contaminated water from wells or ponds.

For treating severe blue baby syndrome, an experienced pediatric cardiologist is recommended. Dr Manvinder Singh Sachdev has been practising for years and has mastered the field of pediatric cardiology. You know where to go if you want a cardiologist for your baby with country-wide popularity.

Conclusion
Blue baby syndrome is a rare health condition that has a moderate prognosis. If untreated, it may cause many other complications and even loss of life.