Pulmonary atresia history and symptoms


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org], ; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
A baby born with pulmonary atresia will experience symptoms shortly after birth. Common symptoms include: cyanosis, respiratory distress, lethargy, and fatigue.

Clinical Symptoms
Symptoms are noted shortly after birth. The most common presentation is a newborn who becomes cyanotic (blue) in the transitional first day of life when the placenta (maternal source of oxygen) is removed. Cyanosis is related to the presence of other defects that allow blood to mix, such as a patent ductus arteriosus, patent foramen ovale, etc.

Other symptoms may include:
 * Rapid breathing
 * Lethargy
 * Irritability
 * Shortness of breath
 * Poor eating habits
 * Fatigue