Fetal Cardiac Dysfunction
Overview
Definition
Fetal cardiac dysfunction is the name for a number of heart problems in a growing fetus. The heart can be pumping weakly or pumping out of sync.
The heart is not able to move blood through the body. This can cause danger to the baby.
Blood Flow Through the Heart |
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Risk Factors
Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Having other family members who had heart problems at birth
- Chromosome problems in the child
- Prior pregnancy with heart problems or miscarriage
-
Health problems during pregnancy, such as:
- Having a virus, such as rubella
- Having diabetes
- Drinking alcohol
- Taking certain medicines
- Not enough blood getting to the baby
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
Treatment
This problem may get better on its own in some children. In others, treatment will be needed based on the type of defect.
Surgery may be done to correct the problem while the baby is still in the womb. A baby may also have surgery after birth, such as:
- Catheterization —a tube is inserted through the veins and into the heart for testing or a procedure
- Pacemaker insertion —a small, battery-operated device is inserted into the heart to help it keep a normal heartbeat
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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All rights reserved.
RESOURCES
American Heart Association http://www.heart.org
Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics http://www.healthychildren.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Cardiovascular Society http://www.ccs.ca
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada http://www.heartandstroke.ca
References
Congenital heart defects. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/CongenitalHeartDefects/Congenital-Heart-Defects%5FUCM%5F001090%5FSubHomePage.jsp. Accessed November 4, 2020.
Congenital heart defects. Kid's Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/if-heart-defect.html?ref=search. Accessed November 4, 2020.