Here is a repost of a post from 2010...all about Congenital Heart Defects.
It's amazing the technology we have these days. I'm thankful that my Lily is currently heart healthy. On April 15th, we will be celebrate our 5th Anniversary since her open heart surgery. What an amazing God we serve!
What is a congenital heart defect? CHD’s
are structural problems with the heart present at birth. They result
when a mishap occurs during heart development soon after conception and
often before the mother is aware she is pregnant. Defects range in
severity from simple to problems, such as “holes” between chambers of
the heart, to very severe malformations, such as complete absence of one
or more chambers or valves.
Lily's congenital heart defect was a Ventricular Septal Defect. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a defect in the septum between the right and left ventricle. The septum is a wall that separates the heart’s left and right sides. Septal defects are sometimes called a “hole” in the heart. It’s the most common congenital heart defect in the newborn; it’s less common in older children and adults because some VSDs close on their own.
The above is a diagram of a heart with a VSD
~February 24, 2008~
Lily's hospital stay for Failure to Thrive
~March 4th, 2008~
Lily is home with her NG tube
Lily's did not close on it's own. It was effecting her growth and development. Due to her VSD, Lilyann was put on an NG tube (nasogastric). This tube was inserted through her nose, past her throat and down into her stomach. It was the only way at the time that Lilyann would receive the nutrition that she needed to survive. It took all of her energy to just stay awake throughout the day. Her VSD was medium to large; and it effected her breathing. Her body was working overtime to keep up. She was burning calories faster than she could take them in. Lily had to have open heart surgery to repair her VSD.
Lily's congenital heart defect was a Ventricular Septal Defect. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a defect in the septum between the right and left ventricle. The septum is a wall that separates the heart’s left and right sides. Septal defects are sometimes called a “hole” in the heart. It’s the most common congenital heart defect in the newborn; it’s less common in older children and adults because some VSDs close on their own.
The above is a diagram of a heart with a VSD
~February 24, 2008~Lily's hospital stay for Failure to Thrive
~March 4th, 2008~Lily is home with her NG tube
Lily's did not close on it's own. It was effecting her growth and development. Due to her VSD, Lilyann was put on an NG tube (nasogastric). This tube was inserted through her nose, past her throat and down into her stomach. It was the only way at the time that Lilyann would receive the nutrition that she needed to survive. It took all of her energy to just stay awake throughout the day. Her VSD was medium to large; and it effected her breathing. Her body was working overtime to keep up. She was burning calories faster than she could take them in. Lily had to have open heart surgery to repair her VSD.
Lily -- February 2010
Lily-- February 2013♥
4 comments:
A very informative blog. Thanks for sharing the experience with fellow readers. If the defects are small say less than 0.5 square cm which is quiet common, there is less reason to worry. If the VSD is large generally greater than 1 sqaure cm, then there is a reason to worry. This is because there is a significant shunting of blood from the left ventricle into the right ventricle. The symptoms in the child are labored breathing, difficulty feeding, fatigue, grow poorly. Parents should watch out for these. Source: Singapore septal defect
My son has a 4mm VSD. He is currently on medication. We are praying it closes on its own. Thank you for this blog!!
I am a young cardiologist and I also wrote a few words about Ventricular Septal Defect.
Just admiring your work and wondering how managed this blog so well. It’s so remarkable that I can't afford to not go through this valuable information whenever I surf the internet!
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