Small hearts, great worries and heart diseases in children change the family
How often are heart diseases in children?
Imagine that your child's heart - so small, so tender - fights every day. For most parents, the heart symbol is a sign of love, life, hope. But what if this symbol suddenly gets brittle? Heart diseases in children are a silent danger that many only notice when it is almost too late. While we accompany our children through life, it is hard to imagine that such a vital struggle rages in them even at tender age. Every year, thousands of babies are born with a heart defect - an invisible enemy who threatens her laugh, her first steps and all the unforgettable moments.
In this article we appear deeply into the world of childhood heart disease, reveal the most common heart defects and show what we can do to give these little fighters a chance of a long and happy life. Because sometimes it takes more than just love to heal a heart - you need knowledge, courage and hope.
Congenital heart defects and heart diseases in children in detail
Congenital heart defects are structural anomalies of the heart that are already present at birth. They arise during the development of the heart in the womb, usually in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. These heart defects can be different, from mild defects that may correct themselves, to complex malformations that require surgical interventions. In the following, the most common congenital heart defects and heart diseases in children are described in detail:
Diseases | Description |
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) |
A ventricular septal defect is a hole in the heart septum (septum) that separates the two heart chambers (ventricular). Through this hole, blood can flow from the left chamber into the right chamber, causing oxygen -rich blood to flow back into the lungs instead of getting into the body. The VSD is the most common innate heart defect and makes 30-35% all innate heart defects. |
Pre -yard septal defect (ASD) |
The atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the two upper cardiac chambers (atmosphere). As a result, oxygen -rich blood flows from the left atrium into the right atrium, which leads to an overload of the right heart and lungs. ASD makes about 5-10% all innate heart defects. |
Fallot tetralogy |
Fallot tetralogy is a combination of four different heart defects:
The fallot tetralogy occurs at about 5-7% all children with congenital heart defects. |
Transposition of the large arteries (TGA) |
The two main arteries of the heart are exchanged in the transposition of the large arteries: the aorta rises from the right handle of the heart and the pulmonary artery of the left. This gives oxygen -poor blood into the body, while oxygen -rich blood is pumped back into the lungs. Frequency: TGA concerns about 5% of the children with innate heart defects. |
Aortenisthmstenosis (aortic coarctation) |
In the case of aortic stenosis, the aorta, the main blood vessel, transports the blood from the heart into the body, is narrowed at a certain point. This leads to increased blood pressure in the upper area of the body and reduced blood flow into the lower area of the body. The aortic coarctation makes about 5-8% the congenital heart defect. |
Pulmonary stenosis |
With pulmonary stenosis, the pulmonary flap is narrowed, which makes the blood flow more difficult from the right -hand chamber into the lungs. The right heart chamber must work harder to pump blood into the lungs. Frequency: Pulmonary stenoses do about 8-10% the congenital heart defect. |
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) |
The hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a complex malformation in which the left half of the heart (left heart chamber, mitral valve, aortic flap) is underdeveloped. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood into the body. Frequency: HLHS occurs at about 1 of 5,000 newborns on what about 3-5% the innate heart defect corresponds. |
Tricus -pidalatresia |
In tricuspid pidalatresia, the tricus pidal flap lacks or is not functional, which blocks blood flow from the right atrium chamber to the right -hand. The heart has to work abnormally to transport the blood into the lungs. Frequency: Trico -pidalatresia is a rarer kind of congenital heart defect and makes about 1-3% of the cases. |
Percentage distribution of the most common heart diseases in children
The percentage distribution of heart diseases in children shows a diverse image of various heart defects that can occur at birth and influence the lives of those affected differently. Both the frequency and the severity of the individual diseases vary, which requires a comprehensive understanding and targeted medical care.
Psychological stress caused by heart diseases in children - an underestimated challenge for the whole family
Heart diseases in children are not only a physical challenge, but also an enormous psychological stress - both for the affected children and for their families. The diagnosis of heart disease often triggers fears, concerns and uncertainty and presents parents, siblings and the child concerned with numerous emotional challenges. In the following we examine the various aspects of the mental stress that families are confronted with and provide insights into possible support strategies.
The psychological stress for children with heart disease
Children who live with a heart disease often experience a variety of mental stress, which vary depending on the severity of the disease and necessary treatments:
Fear and uncertainty
- Medical interventions and hospital stays: Many children with heart disease have to go through operations, examinations and hospital stays. These experiences can trigger fear and lead to a feeling of helplessness.
- Fear of separation: Younger children in particular can develop separate fears during longer hospital stays because they are separated from their parents and their familiar surroundings.
Restrictions in everyday life
- Movement restrictions: Children with heart diseases are often not allowed to take part in all sporting activities, which can lead to frustration and the feeling of "being different".
- Medical routine: Regular medication, doctor visits and check -ups can burden the children's everyday life and convey the feeling that they can never be "normal". Everyday companions are for symptom monitoring EKG devices and Pulsoxymeter. Because this means that hypoxia can quickly be recognized and objectified.
Isolation and social problems
- Stigmatization: Some children feel marginalized or different from their illness, especially if they cannot participate in activities of their peers. This can lead to a reduced self -esteem.
- School challenges: Frequent absences due to doctor's appointments or hospital stays can lead to children losing school connections or feeling socially isolated.
Long -term psychological effects
- Depression and anxiety disorders: Children with chronic heart disease have an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety disorders in the course of their lives. A study by the American Heart Association (Aha) shows that about 30% of children with innate heart defects develop mental illnesses in the course of their lives.
The psychological stress for parents and families
Parents and families of heart -sick children also experience considerable emotional challenges:
Fear and concern for the child
- Fear of loss: The concern for the child's health and the uncertain course of the disease that your child could suffer any complications or death at any time is a constant burden for parents.
- Decision -making: Parents often face difficult medical decisions, e.g. whether and when an invasive examination or even an operation should be carried out. This pressure can lead to considerable fears but also to a high level of responsibility for another individual.
Feelings of guilt and self -doubt
- Many parents feel guilty or wonder if they could have done something differently to prevent their child's illness. Especially with congenital heart defects, mothers often wonder whether they have "done something wrong" during pregnancy.
- Feelings of guilt are also present if previous illnesses are already known for families and shape the prehistory.
Financial and professional stress
- The constant visits to the doctor, hospital stays and medical treatments can be a significant financial burden. New diagnostic procedures and therapy approaches are not always a cash benefit.
- The high expenditure of time often leads to one or both parents to restrict or even give up their professional activity.
Effects on siblings
- Siblings of heart -sick children often feel neglected because the parents invest a lot of time and energy in the care of the sick child. This can lead to jealousy, feelings of guilt or social isolation.
Coping strategies and support options
In view of the emotional challenges that a heart disease brings, it is important that both the affected children and their families receive support. Here are some options for how you can cope with the psychological stress:
Psychological care and therapy
- Individual therapy: For children, psychological support can help to manage fears and deal with their illness. Specially trained child psychologists can convey strategies to better cope with your situation.
- Family therapy: Family therapies offer the opportunity to speak openly about fears, worries and challenges and to develop coping strategies together.
Self -help groups and exchange
- The exchange with other families who experience similar experiences can be very helpful. Self -help groups offer a protected space in which parents, siblings and children find support and understanding.
- In Germany, for example, the German Heart Foundation Special self -help groups for parents of heart -sick children.
Psychoeducation
- The clarification of the disease and its treatment options can reduce fears and uncertainties. Many clinics offer special training for parents and children to create a better understanding of the disease.
Offers for siblings
- There are special offers and leisure programs for siblings of heart -sick children so that they are also in focus and receive support. These programs offer siblings the opportunity to exchange ideas and understand that they are not alone with their feelings.
Support from social services and organizations
- Organizations like that Children's heart Foundation or the Federal Association of Heart Patient Children e.V. (BVHK) offer extensive advisory and support offers for families with heart-sick children. They help with financial questions, offer relief from leisure activities and support in organizing everyday life.
Long -term effects and the importance of mental health
Initial studies show that the mental health of children with heart disease and their families significantly influences the quality of life. Children who receive psychological support at an early stage often develop better coping strategies and show in the long term a higher life satisfaction and accordingly a higher quality of life. Even parents who are looking for professional help or participate in self -help groups experience a significant relief and find ways to deal with their situation better.
It is therefore crucial that the topic of mental stress is not ignored, but is understood as an important part of the holistic care of children with heart disease. A healthy heart is not only a question of medicine - it is also a question of mental well -being.
The power of the heart also needs mental support
The diagnosis of heart disease in a child is a shock that shakes the entire family in its foundations. But just as the heart muscle needs support to continue to beat, the affected children and their families also need mental support to master this challenge. With the right support, love and professional help, many of these little fighters can lead a happy and fulfilling life - and make their hearts, both physically and mentally.