Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

//Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a type of rare and complicated heart condition, known to be present since birth (congenital). In this condition, a person is born with a heart that is critically underdeveloped on the left side.

If a baby is born with this rare and deadly heart condition, then the left side of his heart will fail to pump blood to his body effectively. Hence, the right side of his heart is fully responsible for pumping blood to the lungs and other parts of the body. If this condition is detected, it is important to consult a heart specialist in Kolkata at the earliest.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome can be treated through proper medication that will prevent the closing of a connection present between the right and the left sides of the heart. This should be followed by either a heart transplant or surgery. Due to the advances in healthcare, it is now easier to detect this condition in babies at an earlier stage.

Symptoms

Babies born with this rare form of heart syndrome are usually very ill right from the time of their birth. The usual signs and symptoms include:

  • Grayish-blue skin
  • Rapid and difficult breathing
  • Poor feeding
  • Cold feet and hands
  • Weak pulse
  • Unusual drowsiness

If the normal connections between the left and the right sides of the heart are allowed to get sealed during the initial few days of birth, then a baby could be at a higher risk of entering shock and losing life. The usual symptoms of shock include:

  • Cold and clammy skin that may turn gray or pale
  • Rapid and weak pulse
  • Abnormally slow, shallow or rapid breathing
  • Lackluster eyes

A baby who is suffering from shock may either be unconscious or conscious. In case you have the slightest suspicion of your baby being in shock, immediately consult a cardiologist in Kolkata.

When to consult a doctor

It is likely that a baby will be diagnosed with heart syndrome either before its birth or soon after. In any case, you must seek help from a heart specialist in Kolkata.

2019-03-05T18:01:02+00:00