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).
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