#pediatricdoctors

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Cardiac surgery in children (or pediatric cardiac surgery) is a treatment procedure to repair heart defects in any child. Some heart defects may need immediate surgical treatment after birth. However, some cardiac surgeries in children are done a few months or even years after birth.  

The type of surgery and the number of surgeries needed for a patient largely depends on the severity of the condition. This treatment is done by the professional pediatric heart surgeons who are well-trained to offer comprehensive care and exclusive treatment to children while mending their heart defect.

Why is pediatric cardiac surgery performed?

The pediatric cardiac surgery is performed if any heart defect could harm a child’s health or overall well-being. Usually, congenital heart defects may impact regular blood flow to the heart. Such defects require pediatric cardiac treatment soon after birth. But some heart defects may not require surgical procedures for treating the condition. In certain cases, only one surgical procedure is enough to repair the heart defect. However, some cases may need several procedures for improving the patient’s condition.

Common symptoms indicating the need for pediatric cardiac surgery:

l  Arrhythmia

l  Poor sleeping or feeding, growth & development of a child

l  Difficulty in breathing

l  Gray or blue lips, skin and nail beds (cyanosis)

Types of Treatments Provided by Pediatric Heart Surgeons

Pediatric heart surgeons offer treatment for the following:

l  Repairing heart injury

l  Correcting conditions like abnormal blood vessels, holes in-between heart chambers and valve problems

l  Heat or lung transplants

l  Correcting other acquired congenital heart defects

Things to Expect After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

After the surgical treatment, the patient will be under observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a few days. The patient is discharged based on the type of surgery performed and the patient’s condition post-surgery. Generally, three to four weeks is the recovery time after surgical treatment. However, this recovery period may be extended up to 6 to 8 weeks if severe surgeries were performed.

Important points to remember to take care of your child after pediatric cardiac surgery:

l  Make sure that the child does not lift any heavy object

l  Prevent your child from taking part in activities that involve pushing or pulling

l  Provide proper diet to your child and ensure the diet includes essential nutrients and vitamins needed for faster recovery

l  Follow-up with the child’s doctor before and after the surgical treatment to know about immunizations required during the treatment

l  Provide proper and timely dosage of the prescribed medication.

l  Immediately rush your child to the hospital if you notice any of the following symptoms during the recovery period:

Ø  Swelling or redness

Ø  Fever or nausea

Ø  Bluish skin

Ø  Shortness of breath

Ø  Signs of infection around the wound

Ø  Heart palpitations

Ø  Chest pain

Ø  Reduced appetite

Where to Find a Pediatric Heart Surgeon?

Pediatric heart surgeons practice in children’s hospitals and larger medical centres to offer healthcare to both children and adults. When consulting a pediatric cardiac surgeon, you must ensure that his/her clinic or the hospital where the doctor works has all the required facilities and equipment for the treatment. The hospital staff may also include some other pediatric specialists to provide proper care to your child during the treatment.