When we had our confirmed diagnosis of Down Syndrome, this fact was one I had already stumbled across while Google and I were dancing around. I was scared of the heart issues, as most moms are. I was also confused, maybe I should have paid more attention in Biology class because I suddenly felt like a child in a Charlie Brown cartoon where the teacher is talking but all poor Charlie Brown hears is the Wah-wah-wah. There we sat in the office of a cardiologist while a technician ran a wand across our newborn’s heart to check for holes, malformations and congenital heart defects.
I did some research and it turns out there are some very specific heart defects associated with Down Syndrome.
ASD- Atrial Septal Defect
“In this defect there is a hole between the top chambers (receiving chambers or atria). Because of the higher pressure in the left side of the heart, oxygenated blood flows through the hole from the left to the right side of the heart, and back to the lungs, in addition to the normal flow.
There are three types of Atrial Septal Defect; the most common is when there is a hole in the middle of the central heart wall. Holes in the lower part of the septum, called the primum defect (partial atrioventricular septal defect), are often associated with a problem of the mitral valve that often results in a leak. Less common are sinus venosus defects or holes in the top of the septum. These are associated with an abnormality of the right upper lung vein.” -Congenital Heart Disease in Children with Down Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2017, from http://downsyndrome.nacd.org/heart_disease.php
VSD- Ventricular Septal Defect
“In this defect there is a hole between the bottom chambers (pumping chambers or ventricles). Because of the higher pressure in the left side of the heart, this allows oxygenated blood to flow through the hole from the left to the right side of the heart, and back to the lungs, in addition to the normal flow.” Congenital Heart Disease in Children with Down Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2017, from http://downsyndrome.nacd.org/heart_disease.php
PDA- Patent Ductus Artetiosis
“This defect is the continuance of a direct connection between the aorta and the lung (pulmonary) artery, which normally closes shortly after birth.” Congenital Heart Disease in Children with Down Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2017, from http://downsyndrome.nacd.org/heart_disease.php
Tetralogy of Fallot
“This anomaly includes four different heart problems:
- a hole between the top chambers and a hole between the bottom chambers
- combined mitral and tricuspid valves (common atrioventricular valve)
- narrowed pulmonary artery (from heart to lungs) or the area under or above the valve, or all three
- thickening of the right bottom chamber (ventricle)” Congenital Heart Disease in Children with Down Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2017, from http://downsyndrome.nacd.org/heart_disease.php
Cedar has two of these heart issues, he has a PDA and an ASD. So many of our friends in the Down Syndrome community have had open heart surgery to repair their heart problems but at this time Cedar’s heart conditions are just being monitored by his cardiologist every 6 months. It is possible that in a few years he will have to have a heart catheter surgery if his holes do not close on their own.
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