Question
A newborn has a heart condition, with a weak cry, difficulty in breastfeeding, coughing at night, and no recent treatment. A recent check-up revealed a small hole in the heart, causing concern about the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of treatment.
Answer
Congenital heart disease is a condition caused by structural abnormalities in the heart and great vessels during development or by the failure of channels that should close automatically after birth to do so. While a few small ventricular septal defects may have a chance of spontaneous healing before the age of 5, most cases require surgical treatment. Parents should provide their child with adequate care and attention and bring the child to a doctor as soon as possible to avoid using unknown medications and to assist the child in receiving timely and appropriate treatment.