Birth Defect: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Today there is advanced ultrasound technology that can detect heart defects like hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This condition can often by detected by ultrasound as early as the first trimester.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital heart defect present at birth. It is a rare heart condition that affects the lower left chamber of the heart. the left ventricle is very small, the valves on the left side of the heart (aortic and mitral do not work properly and the main artery leaving the heart (aorta) is smaller than normal. This condition means that the left side of the heart will not be able to pump effectively to pump blood to the body, so the right side of the heart must do more work to compensate. In a day or two after birth the natural openings between the right and left sides of the heart close. This closing which occurs naturally and normally does not affect the normal healthy newborn, can prove fatal to the baby with this congenital heart condition as now the right side of the heart no longer has a way to pump blood to the body. Medication can be given to prevent the holes from closing between the left and the right sides. A heart transplant or heart surgery will be necessary to treat hypoplastic left heart syndrome if the baby is to survive. In the past, few babies survived; now the outlook is more promising for these babies.

Symptoms:

Critically ill at birth

Grayish-blue skin color

Rapid and difficulty breathing

Poor feeding

Hands and feet are cold

Child Birth Defects She should also carefully read all over the counter medications before taking them and also run them by her obstetrician or midwife before taking any over the counter medications. Women who suffer from diabetes, epilepsy, are obese, have lupus or other medical conditions deemed risky by your physician should be addressed at your preconception appointment.

Lethargy

If the natural holes on the left and right sides (foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus) are allowed to close the baby will go into shock and may die.

Symptoms of shock:

Clammy and cool skin that may also be pale or gray in color

Rapid and weak pulse

Slow, shallow or very rapid breathing

Dilated pupils (eyes)

Eyes that seem to stare (lackluster)

May be conscious or unconscious

A baby in shock needs medical treatment right away as this is an emergency.

Causes:

The causes are unknown. All that is known is that it occurs during fetal development.

Genetics does play a role in hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Risk:

Having one or more children who have hypoplstic left heart syndrome

Seeking Medical Attention:

If your baby has any of these symptoms seek medical attention immediately:

Skin color - gray or blue

Breathing that is rapid or seems difficult in any way.

Does not feed well

Hands and feet are cold

Baby is always sleepy

Shock symptoms are an emergency and must be given immediate medical care:

cold, clammy skin that is blue or gray in color

rapid and weak pulse

breathing that is not normal (slow, shallow, or very rapid)

Pupils of the eyes are dilated

Eyes appear to be lackluster and as if they are starring

Prenatal Screening:

Today there is advanced ultrasound technology that can detect heart defects like hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This condition can often by detected by ultrasound as early as the first trimester.

Diagnosis after birth:

A physician or other healthcare professional may suspect hypoplastic left heart syndrome, if the baby is gray or bluish in skin color or has difficulty breathing or if the medical professional hears a heart murmur.

An echocardiogram will be performed to help make the diagnosis. This test will reveal the smaller than normal left ventricle and aorta and also track the blood flow from right ventricle into the aorta. Other heart defects can also be detected by the echocardiogram.

Today's News About Birth Defects

07/04/2008
Utah Group to Monitor Stillbirth's Disorders (FOX 13 Utah)
Researchers in Utah will begin looking for clues about what causes stillbirths and genetic metabolic disorders.

Utah Group to Monitor Stillbirth's Disorders (FOX 13 Utah)

07/05/2008
Sisters Defy Odds, Mom Seeks Help (Brandon News & Tribune)
Their names are Heaven and Trinity, but Monica McIntyre likes to call them "my little miracles."

Sisters Defy Odds, Mom Seeks Help (Brandon News & Tribune)

07/02/2008
Young boy hopes Miami doctors can put heart back in chest (KARE 11 Minneapolis-St. Paul)
A toddler from Trinidad with a rare birth defect has come to Miami in the hope of finding help. The International Kids Fund

Young boy hopes Miami doctors can put heart back in chest (KARE 11 Minneapolis-St. Paul)

07/02/2008
Boy born with heart outside chest (12 News Phoenix)
A toddler from Trinidad with a rare birth defect has come to Miami in the hope of finding help. The International Kids Fund launched a campaign Tuesday to pay for surgery for 20-month-old Adrian Raheal.

Boy born with heart outside chest (12 News Phoenix)

07/04/2008
Birth defect is linked to STDs and infection (Deseret Morning News)
Young women who have both a sexually transmitted disease and a urinary tract infection just before or early in their pregnancy are four times more likely to have a baby born with intestines and other organs outside the abdomen, according to a study by University of Utah researchers.

Birth defect is linked to STDs and infection (Deseret Morning News)

07/02/2008
Who's saying what about gay and lesbian issues (Metro Weekly)
"She had a birth defect, and we call it that. I can't think of a worse birth defect, as a woman, than to have a penis ."

Who's saying what about gay and lesbian issues (Metro Weekly)