Pediatric Cardiology

A broad spectrum of cardiac conditions affecting children are included in pediatric cardiology. Circumstances include infections, inflammatory diseases including Kawasaki illness and rheumatic heart disease, anomalies of the heart or blood arteries produced during development (congenital heart defects), and cardiac arrhythmias (heart-rhythm disorders). The most prevalent medical problem that is present from birth is congenital heart disease. The anatomy and physiology of a baby's heart are impacted by congenital cardiac abnormalities. This specialty includes a number of tests and treatments like cardiac catheterization, echocardiograms, MRIs, and others.

Heart disorders that develop at any time in a person’s life after birth are acquired.

Here is a list of several common procedures that are performed by pediatric cardiologists. They are: 

• .      Cardiac arrhythmia (heart-rhythm disorder): Heart arrhythmias are abnormalities of the heart's electrical circuitry that result in an irregular, fast, or sluggish heartbeat. Children may have arrhythmias as an acquired disorder or as a congenital (existing from birth) illness. A number of illnesses, including infections like Lyme disease and congenital heart defects, can result in cardiac arrhythmias if they are acquired, however, the majority can be effectively treated.
• .     Endocarditis- Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, usually caused by bacteria getting into the bloodstream. This potentially life-threatening infection can cause flu-like symptoms, cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
• .      Kawasaki disease: This illness, also known as Kawasaki syndrome, primarily affects kids under the age of five. In the United States, one of the main causes of acquired heart disease in newborns and early children is Kawasaki illness. Prolonged fever, rash, edema of the hands and feet, bloodshot eyes, and inflammation of the mouth, lips, and throat are some of the signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease.
• .      Rheumatic heart disease: Rheumatic heart disease is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria — the same pathogen that causes strep throat and rheumatic fever. If rheumatic heart disease is not promptly diagnosed and treated, an immune system reaction can damage the heart muscle and heart valves.

Besides these disorders, there are other set of diseases as well that are observed in young children.