Caring for your child's heart

MANILA, Philippines - Heart defects are the most common birth defect in children, affecting approximately eight in 1,000 newborns in the Philippines. Of these congenital heart defects (CHD), the ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most widely occurring, accounting for 25-35 percent of the various types of CHD. Approximately one infant in 500 will be born with a VSD.

VSD is a type of CHD in which the heart has a hole in the wall (the septum) between its two lower chambers (the ventricles). Early detection is critical; in fact some cases are diagnosed at the fetal stage by pediatric cardiologists and perinatologists.

While among adults, most cases of heart problems are acquired through an unhealthy lifestyle, Dr. Helen Grace Aragones David, Healthway medical pediatric cardiologist, says no studies thus far show the real causes of CHD. She adds that some of the symptoms of CHD include feeding interruption, recurrent respiratory tract infections, diaphoresis (increased sweating), failure to gain weight, easy fatigability, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin and mucosa).

Cardiology, or the discipline of medicine that specializes in heart disease, is a complex and sophisticated field. A cardiologist has special training and skill in finding, treating, and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels in adults. On the other hand, a pediatric cardiologist has special training and skill in finding, treating, and preventing heart and blood vessel disease in infants, children, and teenagers. In some cases, the pediatric cardiologist begins diagnosis and treatment in the fetus and continues into adolescenthood.

Whether you’re a parent whose child has just been referred to a pediatric cardiologist, an expectant mother who needs to have a fetal echocardiogram, or an adult who has managed a congenital heart problem for your entire life, navigating the world of pediatric cardiology can be overwhelming.

David simplifies the process: “The pediacardio works with the obstetrician (OB) and the general pediatrician who, if he or she sees signs of congenital heart disease, will refer it to a pedia cardio, thus qualifying for the 2D echo exam. The pedia cardio will ask for the medical history of the mother and other risk factors during pregnancy.”

The pedia cardio is thus the best specialist to detect CHD in children. As specialists in CHD they have three years of pediatric residency and then train for another three years for pediatric cardiology and one year of training for non-invasive cardiology (echocardiography).

David advises mothers-to-be to always choose a healthy lifestyle, go for regular checkups, be aware of their medical/family history, and closely consult with their OB. 

Healthway offers expert diagnosis and treatment of all types of pediatric cardiovascular disorders, including pediatric cardiac consultation and 2D echo exams.

Carmie de Leon, Healthway vice president for sales and marketing, reiterates Healthway’s commitment to early detection and preventive health care. Says De Leon: “We deploy only the best specialists for our customers. We carry out preventive health care only through our board-certified doctors.”

Healthway clinics are found at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Market!Market!, SM The Block, Robinsons Manila, Filinvest Mall, and the Alabang Town Center. Log on to     www.healthway.com.ph, or dial 751-HWAY for inquiries.