Diagnosis before the birth
More and more cases of congenital heart disease are diagnosed before a baby is born. This is done using a procedure called foetal echocardiography.
Foetal echocardiography uses a specially designed ultrasound scanner to build up a picture of the inside of the chambers of the heart. The procedure should be carried out during routine antenatal examinations, usually some time between week 18 and week 20 of pregnancy.
However, it is not always possible to detect heart defects, particularly mild ones, using foetal echocardiography.
Diagnosis after the birth
If a baby is born with cyanotic heart disease, a diagnosis can usually be made quickly and confidently due to the distinctive blue colour of their skin (called cyanosis).
If your baby is born with a septal defect or an obstruction defect, their symptoms may not be noticeable for several months or sometimes many years after they are born.
Possible signs that your child has cyanotic heart disease include:
- not developing at the expected rate
- shortness of breath during physical activity
- complaining of feeling tired most or all of the time
- poor feeding
See your GP if your child has any of these symptoms. Further testing can usually help confirm or disprove a diagnosis of congenital heart disease.
Further testing
Further tests that your child may have are described below.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography may be used to check the inside of your child’s heart. Sometimes, problems with the heart that were missed during foetal echocardiography can be detected as a child develops.
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes are placed on the skin around the heart and are connected to a computer. The computer analyses the electrical signals that are produced by the heart to assess how well it is beating.
Chest X-ray
A chest X-ray of the heart and lungs can be used to check whether there is an excess amount of blood in the lungs or whether the heart is larger than normal. Both may be signs of heart disease.
Pulse oximetry
Pulse oximetry is a test that measures the amount of oxygen present in your child’s blood.
The test involves placing a special sensor on your child’s fingertip, ear or toe which sends out light waves. A computer is connected to the sensor and measures how the light waves are absorbed.
Oxygen can affect how the light waves are absorbed, so by analysing the results the computer can quickly determine how much oxygen is present in your child’s blood.
Cardiac catheterisation
Cardiac catheterisation is a useful way of obtaining more information about exactly how the blood is being pumped through your child’s heart. The procedure is performed under a local anaesthetic and so is painless.
A small flexible tube, called a catheter, is inserted into one of your child’s blood vessels, usually in the groin or arm. The tube is moved up into the heart, guided by X-rays or MRI scanners.
The end of the tube contains a tiny blood pressure monitor, which can be used to take blood pressure readings in different parts of the heart. A coloured dye that shows up on X-rays can also be injected into the tube. The dye can be studied as it moves through the heart, enabling medical staff to see how well each chamber of the heart is working.
