More than two lakh cases of congenital heart disease are reported in India every year. And one-fifth of them are severe that require medical surgery before the child turns one. Paediatric cardiology deals with all the heart ailments that affect children. The medical approach is different from that of treating adults with cardiac issues. Paediatric cardiac surgery in India is quite affordable compared to other countries. However, advanced paediatric care is not available uniformly all over India and can be financially constraining for many people. Let’s get to know more about Paediatric Cardiologist.
Who Is A Paediatric Cardiologist?
Heart doctors who treat kids with heart conditions are known as paediatric cardiologists. They work together with a primary care provider and a regular paediatrician for overall well-being. Paediatric cardiologists treat congenital heart conditions as well as conditions that arise afterward. As per industry standards, they treat children and adults till the age of eighteen and, in some cases, twenty-one. However, many patients with childhood heart problems also require regular monitoring and medical treatment from their paediatric cardiologist in adulthood. Primarily, paediatric cardiologists use tools such as imaging tests, electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms to detect any heart abnormalities during birth.
When To See A Paediatric Cardiologist?
There are several reasons for which a child may be referred to a paediatric cardiologist, such as
Critical Congenital Heart Defects
More than one-fifth of children with heart conditions require immediate healthcare due to congenital heart defects. These children require surgery within the year they are born. With the help of a fetal echocardiogram, doctors are able to diagnose any abnormalities in the heart when the baby is in the womb. Other cardiac ailments are only detected sometime after birth. The symptoms can be low birth weight, delayed growth, bluish fingers, skin and lips, chest pain, and difficulty in feeding.
Non-Critical Congenital Heart Defects
There are other congenital heart defects that are not critical such as small atrial and ventricular septal defects, also known as a hole in the heart. Such non-critical heart conditions may never cause any problem and fill up or treat on their own as the child grows up. However, a large hole will need surgery. Other conditions include hypothermia, persistent pulmonary hypertension, lung diseases that are either CHD or acquired, hemoglobinopathy, etc.
Genetic Conditions
Children may also have cardiac issues due to genetic syndromes. Some of the most common ones are Marfan syndrome, Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome. These genetic conditions require regular medical monitoring from a paediatric cardiologist. Apart from treating the syndrome, it is essential to focus on the children’s heart health massively initially, which can then be slowed down as the kid grows older.
Arrhythmia
Any disorder with the electrical system that supports heartbeats is known as arrhythmia. In this, the heartbeat is either too slow, too fast, or irregular. Some types of arrhythmias are not critical and quite common such as premature contractions. In contrast, other kinds may be severe and require medical treatment or a pacemaker for supporting normal heart functioning. A paediatric cardiologist can ascertain the severity and help in determining the course of treatment at the earliest.
What Is Paediatric Cardiac Surgery?
After the diagnosis, if the heart condition is severe, then a paediatric cardiac surgery is done to repair the defect for the child’s well-being in the future. A heart surgeon does the surgery with the help of a paediatric cardiologist’s diagnosis. In some cases, paediatric cardiologists may be trained to operate as well. The severity of the surgery depends on the severity of the heart condition. It can take one procedure or several procedures to completely repair the heart defect. Paediatric cardiac surgery in India can cost exorbitantly depending on the condition. However, the cost is relatively low compared to other countries, which makes India a suitable medical hub for many healthcare tourists.
Conclusion
Heart ailments are overwhelming and strenuous, especially in children. With the advancement in technology, a pediatric cardiologist can detect any severe heart ailments before birth. Remember that every case of paediatric cardiology is different. The experience of patients can differ significantly depending on the heart condition. However, a paediatric cardiologist will be the key person in determining the further course of treatment, which can include regular medication or referral to a heart surgeon.