WhatsAppSpecialist Care for Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease
The Pediatric Cardiology Clinic diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and great vessels in every age group, from the fetus to adolescence. It provides specialist assessment across a broad field, from congenital heart defects to childhood arrhythmias and from Kawasaki disease to rheumatic fever. Academic Hospital assesses the child's heart accurately and safely with advanced pediatric echocardiography equipment.
Contents
What Is the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic?
Pediatric cardiology is the pediatric medical specialty that identifies, monitors and treats diseases of the heart and circulatory system from birth to the end of adolescence. A child's heart differs from an adult's both anatomically and physiologically; diagnostic methods, normal reference ranges and treatment doses are therefore applied specifically according to age and body weight.
The pediatric cardiologist reaches an accurate diagnosis by combining examination findings with advanced imaging tests and, where necessary, works in coordination with the cardiovascular surgery, cardiology and pediatrics departments.
Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated?
The Pediatric Cardiology Clinic diagnoses and treats mainly the following diseases and conditions:
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole in the muscular wall between the two lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart; it is a common congenital heart anomaly. Small VSDs may close on their own; larger ones may require intervention.
- Atrial septal defect (ASD): A hole in the membranous wall between the two upper chambers of the heart; it is usually detected in childhood or adolescence. Small defects may become smaller or close on their own. Large ones can be closed by catheter or surgery.
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): The persistence of the connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that should close after birth; it is common in premature babies. Large ones can be closed by catheter.
- Bicuspid aortic valve: A congenital heart anomaly in which the aortic valve, which should have three leaflets, has two. It may cause stenosis or insufficiency of the aortic valve. Even in the absence of functional impairment, patients require follow-up by the pediatric cardiology department once the diagnosis is made.
- Aortic stenosis and pulmonary stenosis: Conditions caused by narrowing of the heart valves that may lead to shortness of breath during strenuous exertion.
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF): A complex blue baby condition in which four different anatomical abnormalities occur together; it requires surgical correction.
- Childhood arrhythmias: Rhythm disorders such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, long QT syndrome and heart block in children.
- Kawasaki disease: A systemic vasculitis seen more often under the age of 5 that causes high fever and rash and may lead to coronary artery aneurysm. Early diagnosis is critical.
- Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: Heart valve involvement that may develop after an untreated beta haemolytic streptococcal throat infection.
- Myocarditis and pericarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle or of its lining; viral infections are the main cause in children.
- Heart failure: Conditions in which the pumping function of the heart is impaired, including dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Assessment of syncope (fainting): Fainting episodes of neurocardiogenic or cardiac origin that are common in childhood and adolescence.
- Pre-participation cardiac assessment: The screening examination performed before school sports and professional training in order to rule out sudden cardiac death.
When Should You Consult Us?
The following symptoms and situations indicate that the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic should be consulted:
- A murmur detected at rest or becoming apparent on exertion (by the family physician or the pediatrician)
- Bluish lips or nail colour in a newborn or infant (cyanosis)
- Failure to gain weight, tiring while feeding, excessive sweating (signs of heart disease in an infant)
- Palpitations, shortness of breath or chest pain occurring during exercise
- Fainting or a feeling of faintness (presyncope), particularly during exertion
- A family history of sudden cardiac death at a young age or of rhythm disorders
- High fever lasting more than five days, skin rash, watering and redness of the eyes (suspected Kawasaki disease)
- Cardiac clearance before a sports licence or intensive training
Emergency warning: Sudden loss of consciousness in a child, pallor and sweating together with palpitations, or sudden blueness of the lips indicate an emergency; call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Diagnostic Methods
After a detailed history and physical examination, the pediatric cardiologist reaches the diagnosis using the following methods:
| Method | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| Real-time ultrasound imaging of the heart; cardiac structure and function are assessed with 2D, Doppler and colour Doppler echocardiography. Ultrasound is an imaging method that works with sound waves, so it involves no radiation and is painless. | |
| The basic diagnostic test assessing heart rhythm, electrical conduction and the size of the heart chambers. Pediatric reference ranges vary with age. | |
| Records the heart rhythm throughout the day; used to investigate intermittent palpitations, syncope and arrhythmia. Children continue their daily activities while the test is carried out. | |
| A treadmill or bicycle ergometer is used to assess rhythm disorders and cardiac function occurring on exertion; it is performed in children aged 5 and over who are able to cooperate. | |
| Shows heart size, the pulmonary vascular pattern and structural clues to congenital anomalies; it is assessed together with echocardiography. | |
| The advanced imaging method of choice in complex congenital heart disease, in determining the severity of myocarditis and in measuring ventricular function precisely. | |
| Used in the investigation of neurocardiogenic syncope; the heart rate and blood pressure response during passive upright posture is monitored. This test is not performed in every centre. Special equipment is required. |
Treatment Approaches
Treatment is personalised according to the type and severity of the heart disease and the age of the child.
| Treatment | Scope and application |
|---|---|
| ACE inhibitors and diuretics in heart failure; beta blockers and other antiarrhythmic drugs in arrhythmia; intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin in Kawasaki disease; penicillin for rheumatic fever prophylaxis. All doses are calculated according to the child's weight and age. | |
| ASD and PDA closure, balloon dilatation of the aortic and pulmonary valves, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) by catheter for SVT. These procedures are carried out through thin tubes introduced via the groin vessels and do not require open surgery. | |
| Training in vagal manoeuvres for SVT and WPW; drug treatment where necessary; radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in frequently recurring cases. In long QT syndrome, avoidance of triggers, beta blockers and, where necessary, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). | |
| Gradual return to sport after myocarditis or complex arrhythmia; the decision is reached through an independent cardiac assessment. | |
| Surgical planning for VSD, TOF, transposition and other complex congenital anomalies; the pediatric cardiologist, the cardiac surgeon and the pediatric anaesthesia team decide together. | |
| Regular cardiology follow-up of operated congenital heart disease into adulthood. Some patients may be transferred to an adult congenital cardiology unit. |
Book an appointment with the Academic Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Clinic.
Book an AppointmentPediatric Cardiology at Academic Hospital
The Academic Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Clinic provides outpatient examination, advanced imaging and regular follow-up for children who need a cardiac assessment, from infancy to the end of adolescence. The clinic works routinely with the following departments:
- Cardiovascular Surgery: surgical correction planning for congenital heart anomalies
- Cardiology: transfer of congenital heart patients reaching adulthood
- Pediatrics: initial assessment, detection of murmurs and referral
- Neonatal Intensive Care: monitoring of newborns with cyanosis or suspected congenital heart defects
- Perinatology and High Risk Pregnancies: joint planning for heart anomalies detected before birth
- Pediatric Pulmonology: distinguishing non-cardiac causes of shortness of breath
- Radiology: cardiac MRI and pediatric chest radiography examinations
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions most frequently asked about the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic are given below.
References
The general information given on this page about heart disease in childhood, diagnostic methods and treatment approaches is supported by the reliable health sources listed below.
- National Institutes of Health, "Congenital Heart Disease, StatPearls", ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- NHS, "Supraventricular Tachycardia", nhs.uk
- Mayo Clinic, "Kawasaki Disease: Symptoms and Causes", mayoclinic.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Congenital Heart Defects: Data and Statistics", cdc.gov
The information on this page is for informational purposes only; it does not replace medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a healthcare institution regarding your complaints.
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