Embryogenesis
The baby is born almost with all the organs formed. Of course, as the crumbs grow older, many metamorphoses will take place that will lead to the functional perfection of individual systems. The laying of the main organs of the baby occurs from the 3rd to the 13th week of intrauterine development. In the future (from the 14th week until the end of pregnancy), organs and systems mature, develop and grow. The formation of the heart and vessels of the fetus begins on the 21st day from conception. While this heart does not look like an adult, it grows very rapidly and changes. So, at the 5th week it is arranged just like mom and dad! At the 7-8th week of pregnancy, the contraction of the heart can be seen on ultrasound. And from the 5th month of intrauterine development, you can already register the activity of the fetal heart with the help of ECG. As you understand, the heart begins to function long before the birth of the crumbs.
Attention!
Various harmful factors can affect not only the organism of a pregnant woman, but also the developing embryo. Especially dangerous is the period from the 3rd to the 13th week of pregnancy, when the intervention of aggressive factors can lead to a gross violation of the development of a particular fetal organ.
Heart disease
The word "vice" refers to a gross violation of the structure of the organ, whether it be the heart, kidneys, lungs, etc. Most often, the heart defect is formed in the first 8-10 weeks of development of the crumbs. The most aggressive causative factor is infectious diseases, borne in this period of pregnancy, especially rubella. At risk are also women who drink alcohol and nicotine, carriers of chronic infection, including the urogenital tract, workers in chemical production. Among the possible causes of the formation of heart defects are the age of parents. So, the probability of their development increases, if the mother is older than 35 years, and the father - 45. If one of the parents suffers from a malformation of an organ, then there are risks of developing vices in his offspring.
Attention!
What should a future mother do if she is at risk? The main thing is not to despair! After all, it's not at all necessary that there will be something wrong with the baby! During the course of pregnancy, doctors closely monitor, and with the help of ultrasound in our time, you can control the development of the heart!
Establish a diagnosis
Suspicions of the developing heart disease often occur during ultrasound. Starting with the 14th week of intrauterine development, anatomical structures of the heart can be considered. However, the optimal time to exclude heart disease is 18-28 weeks. Are there situations when the developmental defect of the cardiovascular system is detected only after the birth of the baby? This happens, because ultrasound does not provide a 100% diagnosis. Then the examination of the doctor becomes decisive. In the "benefit" of heart problems will be the color of the skin of the newborn (pale or cyanotic), as well as violation of the heart rhythm, the appearance of noises in the heart. If there is a suspicion of ailment, the baby will be urgently given special instrumental examinations: ultrasound of the heart, ECG and X-ray.
Attention!
If ultrasound is suspected of a heart defect in the fetus, the mother will be recommended to give birth in a specialized maternity hospital or center. In such institutions it is possible to provide timely assistance to a newborn and conduct the necessary special examinations.
There are chances for salvation!
There are defects that are not accompanied by vivid clinical manifestations until a certain time. What should I pay attention to? A child with a heart condition is usually sluggish, poorly sucks and often regurgitates. Some heart defects, inconspicuous at rest, are manifested with physical activity. What can be the load of the newborn? The baby just needs to cry or start sucking the breast, and in response to an increase in activity, his skin color may change: it becomes pale or becomes bluish. In the process of treatment and rehabilitation, children have to suffer a lot, but as a result, they have the most important and expensive - health.
Attention!
The main task of parents crumbs with suspicion of any trouble - do not wait and lose no time. Urgently address to the doctor! To date, there are quite a few specialized medical facilities that are ready to help a child with heart disease.