This is the growth and development of babies with congenital heart disease, parents get to know how to care for them below.
GridHEALTH.id – Congenital heart disease can occur in infants due to various causes and factors. This condition can affect the development of the baby, so it is important for parents to know it from the start.
This condition can be diagnosed in the womb, thus it will be very helpful in treating babies with congenital heart disease so they can develop properly.
Check out the full review below regarding the growth and development of babies with congenital heart disease and how to care for them to the nutritional needs that parents need to fulfill.
Before seeing the growth and development of babies who have congenital heart disease, parents need to know that congenital heart disease can occur due to various causes.
The following are the causes of congenital heart disease in infants:
– Changes in individual genes or chromosomes
– Environment
– Mother’s diet
– Mother’s health condition
– Maternal drug use during pregnancy
Along with advances in medical treatment and existing treatments, babies with this disease can live longer and healthier lives into adulthood.
Also Read: Parents Must Be Alert, These Are the Causes and Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease in Babies
Parents don’t need to worry, but still control the doctor and do what is directed by the doctor to maximize the growth and development of the child.
The treatment procedures carried out will also depend on the type and severity of the existing abnormalities.
Development of Congenital Heart Disease in Babies
Launching from the page Stanford Medicine Children’s Health It is said that children with congenital heart disease can develop more slowly than other children.
Several conditions are seen in babies with congenital heart disease during their development, namely:
– Children look much younger, thinner, and perhaps more fragile than children their age
– The child’s height and weight are lower than most children of his age
– Children may be slower in achieving maximum development than healthy children, such as rolling over, sitting, walking, talking, and others
Infants or children who have congenital heart disease are very dependent on adequate nutrition, because the heart defects they experience make the heart pump faster to meet the body’s needs.
Thus, a faster body metabolism is also needed, so extra calories are needed to be able to maintain body weight and growth. This is the role of fulfilling nutrition.
In addition, children with this disease may also tire more quickly because the body works harder under pressure from heart defects. As a baby may tire more quickly during feedings or even during sleep. In children, they are often picky about food, complain that they are full after a few bites, or ask for rest.
High calorie needs, but often feeling tired also makes the nutritional needs of children with congenital heart disease unfulfilled, besides that it is also possible that children cannot absorb nutrients properly (malabsorption) because their intestines do not get enough oxygen.
Also Read: Congenital Heart Diseases That Can Cause Death in Babies
So that it can be said, several other reasons cause babies with congenital heart disease to lag behind in their growth and development, namely:
– Genetic problems associated with heart defects, affecting thinking and motor development
– Inadequate nutrition, does not meet the body’s energy needs, this condition affects the growth and development of muscles, bones, brain and nerve cells, and makes children tired quickly, difficult to compete physically with children of their age
– Being sick and often staying in the hospital for a long time also means that the child does not get enough stimulation that helps his development, such as being rarely played with, talked to, held or touched
How to Care for Babies with Congenital Heart Disease
It is important for parents to consult a doctor about providing nutrition to babies and how to care for babies with congenital heart disease.
It is likely that the doctor will suggest adding a special nutritional supplement to formula or pumped breast milk to increase the number of calories per ounce, thereby allowing the baby to drink less but still get enough calories to grow.
Parents can also provide nutritious meals and snacks that are high in calories and nutrients when possible, so read labels and know the calorie content of foods.
But avoid foods with a lot of sugar and few nutrients, such as sugary soft drinks, junk food and fast food.
Give children a variety of toys and objects that can stimulate the senses of hearing, sight, touch, and smell.
Consulting with a physical therapist can help provide safe exercises for children of all ages to encourage their development.
Patients with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) need regular checkups with a cardiologist to stay healthy.
Also Read: Congenital Heart Diseases That Can Cause Death in Babies
