Congenital heart block (patient information)

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Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [mailto:urastogi@perfuse.org]

Overview
Congenital heart block may be found before or after a baby is born. Certain diseases that may occur during pregnancy can cause heart block in a baby. Some congenital heart defects also can cause congenital heart block.

What are the symptoms of Congenital heart block?

 * Signs and symptoms depend on the type of heart block you have. First-degree heart block rarely causes symptoms.
 * Symptoms of second- and third-degree heart block include:
 * Fainting
 * Dizziness or light-headedness
 * Fatigue (tiredness)
 * Shortness of breath
 * Chest pain

What causes Congenital heart block?
In pregnant women, antibodies can cross the placenta. (The placenta is the organ that attaches the umbilical cord to the mother's womb.) These proteins can damage the baby's heart and lead to congenital heart block.

These defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. Often, doctors don't know what causes these defects.

Who is at highest risk?
One form of congenital heart block occurs in babies whose mothers have autoimmune diseases, such as lupus. People who have these diseases make proteins called antibodies that attack and damage the body's tissues or cells.

When to seek urgent medical care?
The symptoms may suggest other health problems as well. If the symptoms mentioned above are new or severe,the patient need to visit hospital emergency room. For milder symptoms, talk with your doctor right away to find out whether the patient need prompt treatment.

Diagnosis
Heart block may be diagnosed as part of a routine doctor's visit or during an emergency situation. (Third-degree heart block often is an emergency.)

Your doctor will diagnose heart block based on your family and medical histories, a physical exam, and results from tests like EKG.

Treatment options
Treatment depends on the type of heart block. First-degree heart block usually needs no treatment.


 * For Second-degree heart block, patient may need a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a small device that's placed under the skin of your chest or abdomen. This device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate.


 * For Third-degree heart block, patient will need a pacemaker.

Where to find medical care for Congenital heart block?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Congenital heart block

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Patients presenting as fetuses or at birth have significantly higher morbidity and mortality rates than do patients presenting later in childhood

Possible complications
Congenital complete heart block is an increasingly recognized cause of fetal loss

Prevention
The mother should consult with a rheumatologist to begin monitoring for possible autoimmune disease. Consultation with a rheumatologist is also advised for the infant, particularly if other manifestations of neonatal lupus erythematosus are present.

Genetic consultation is recommended for children with first-degree relatives with structural heart disease or those with storage disorder or cardiomyopathy.