Fallot's tetralogy is a rare genetic disease that arises due to four changes in the heart, which modify its functioning and reduce the amount of blood with oxygen that is pumped. Thus, children with this type of cardiac alteration usually present a bluish color throughout the skin, due to the lack of oxygen in the tissues.
Although there is no cure, Fallot's tetralogy can be corrected with surgery to improve symptoms. The two most used types of surgery are:
1. Intracardiac repair surgery
This is the main type of treatment for tetralogy of Fallot, being done with an open heart in order to allow the doctor to correct cardiac changes and improve blood circulation, relieving all symptoms.
This surgery is usually done during the baby's first year of life, when the first symptoms are discovered and the diagnosis is confirmed.
2. Temporary surgery
Although the most used surgery is intracardiac repair, your doctor may recommend that you have temporary surgery for babies who are too small or weak to undergo major surgery.
Thus, the surgeon makes only a small cut in the artery to allow blood to pass into the lungs, improving oxygen levels.
However, this surgery is not definitive and only allows the baby to continue to grow and develop for some time, until he is able to undergo intracardiac repair surgery.
What happens after surgery
In most cases, babies undergo repair surgery without any problems, however, in some cases, complications such as arrhythmia or dilation of the aortic artery may arise. In such cases, it may be necessary to take medicine for the heart or have new surgery to correct the problems.
In addition, as it is a cardiac problem it is important that the child is always evaluated by a cardiologist throughout his development, to do regular physical examinations and adapt his activities, for example.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of Fallot's tetralogy may vary according to the degree of cardiac changes, but the most common include:
- Bluish skin; Rapid breathing, especially when breastfeeding; Dark nails on the feet and hands; Difficulty in gaining weight; Easy irritability; Constant crying.
These symptoms can appear only after 2 months of age and, therefore, if they are observed, they should be immediately informed to the pediatrician for exams, such as echocardiography, electrocardiogram or chest X-ray, to assess the functioning of the heart and identify the problem, if any.
If the baby has a hard time breathing, the baby should be put on his side and bent his knees up to his chest to improve blood circulation. Then you must call 192 to ask for medical help.
