Nursing 209

N209: Reproductive Health Study Guide

Chapter Six: Congenital Anomalies, Genetic Disorders, and Developmental Problems

6.1 Congenital Heart Defects Overview • Heart problems that develop before birth occurring in the chambers, valves, or blood vessels • May be born with one or multiple defects • Can be mild and require little or no treatment; others require surgical correction and can be life-threatening • Can be genetic/chromosomal or teratogenic Ventral Septal Defect • Most common congenital heart defect • Also referred to as a “hole in the heart” • The septum separating the ventricles does not fully form • The hole allows oxygen-rich blood to leak from the left ventricle into the right ventricle instead of moving into the aorta • Small holes can close on their own or be asymptomatic • More serious VSDs can lead to heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, arrhythmias, and delayed growth and require surgical correction Atrial Septal Defect • The septum between the atria does not close properly • Allows oxygenated blood from the left atrium into the right atrium, when it should normally flow into the left ventricle to the aorta (and then to the rest of the body) • If a large defect is left untreated, it may cause problems in adulthood, such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, or stroke • Depending upon the size of the hold, it may be diagnosed with a prenatal ultrasound • Many ASDs have no signs and symptoms, and go undiagnosed until adulthood when a murmur is heard; then it is confirmed with an echocardiogram • Signs and symptoms with large or untreated defect: Difficulty breathing, fatigue with feeds, and irregular HR • May observe newborn to see if closure occurs on its own and may treat signs and symptoms with meds • No meds are available to correct ASD

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