Children’s health: Signs of heart problems in children and infants
February is American Heart Month. In the United States, a baby is born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) every 15 minutes. Affecting nearly 1 in 100 babies, CHDs include a wide range of structural heart conditions present at birth, from mild abnormalities to complex, life‑threatening defects.
Thanks to medical advancements that have led to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment, many children born with congenital heart defects now go on to live healthy, longer lives.
Not all cardiovascular diseases are congenital, and not every heart defect is detected before birth. In some cases, heart problems can develop after a child is born. These conditions, known as acquired heart diseases, are typically identified when a child shows unusual signs or symptoms that prompt further testing. Common acquired heart diseases in children include Kawasaki Disease, rheumatic heart disease, various types of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) and myocarditis — or inflammation of the heart muscle.
Kawasaki Disease, for example, is a childhood illness that causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body and most often affects children under the age of five. While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to be an abnormal immune response that may be triggered by an infection.
The good news is that with early treatment, most children recover fully. Treatment typically includes intravenous infusions to reduce inflammation, along with low‑dose aspirin to help manage fever and inflammation.
Signs of heart disease in children can vary depending on a child’s age and the type of heart condition. As a pediatric cardiologist, these are some of the most common signs of heart problems in children that I recommend parents and caregivers watch out for:
Babies and infants
• Feeding difficulties, including increased sweating, tiring easily and shortness of breath
• Problems gaining weight
• Fast or labored breathing, including while at rest
• Blue tint to lips, nails and tongue
Toddlers and young children
• Irregular heartbeat/palpitations
• Shortness of breath and/or passing out during physical activity
• Difficulty keeping up with peers physically and/or getting sweaty and out of breath
• Trouble gaining weight, or rapid weight gain
Adolescents and teens
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Increased sweating, especially if disproportionate to level of activity
• Unusual swelling
While many of these symptoms can occur with common childhood illnesses, they become red flags when they are persistent or unexplained. If you notice any of these signs in your child, or if your older child reports any symptoms to you, contact their pediatrician or primary care provider right away.
They can assess your child’s health and help determine the appropriate next steps.
• Children's health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Dr. Andrew Van Bergen, Pediatric Cardiologist at Advocate Children’s Hospital.