Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital Heart Defects
Question, of these 6 Heart conditions that can affect babies, which is most prevalent?
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, allowing blood to bypass the lungs during fetal development. Normally, it closes after birth, but in PDA, it remains open (patent), leading to abnormal blood flow.
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Description: A VSD is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). This allows blood to flow from the left ventricle (which has oxygenated blood) to the right ventricle (which has deoxygenated blood), disrupting normal circulation.
- Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) Description: In TGA, the positions of the two main arteries leaving the heart (the aorta and the pulmonary artery) are switched. This means that oxygen-poor blood is pumped into the body, while oxygen-rich blood circulates back to the lungs.
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Description: An ASD is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers of the heart (atria). Blood can flow from the left atrium to the right atrium, potentially causing right-sided heart enlargement and pulmonary hypertension if not treated.
- Coarctation of the Aorta Description: Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta, which obstructs blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Description: TOF is a combination of four heart defects: a VSD, pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary valve), right ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement), and an overriding aorta (which sits over the VSD).
Imma guess PDA. My gut says "the fetus forgot to finish patching up that one last little part before it came out" actually happens pretty damn often.
Good try, PDA is 1 in 2000 but VSD even more common. Both are failures to 'finish patching up' as you put it. Good analogy!
Both Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) involve structures in the heart that fail to close as they should. However, they differ in terms of location and function: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): This is a blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta in a fetus. It normally closes shortly after birth. Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): This involves a hole in the septum, the wall that divides the left and right ventricles of the heart. Normally, this wall is completely closed.
Yeah they covered this is peds but that was literally my worst subject after l&d and it was 5 years ago lol. Couldn't remember which one. I can tell you the risk factors for development of a personality disorder and rattle off the lifetime AND per shift screening / risk factors for violence up down and sideways tho.