A couple was overjoyed as they were blessed with a baby-boy last month. But, soon their happiness was strewn as the newly born baby suffered from a congenital heart disease.
Considering the physical condition of the baby, parents took him to the hospital for detail medical examination. After undergoing a series of relevant medical tests including x-rays, medicos opined that the newly born is suffering from “blue-baby” syndrome and said that an infant is born with cyanosis resulting from a congenital heart or lung defect.
Medicos told that the blue baby syndrome is caused by decreased ability of blood to carry oxygen, resulting in oxygen deficiency in different body parts. Oxygen is required for all human tissues to enable them to combust food materials carried to them by blood and other body fluids.
The condition develops when the organs, cells and tissues do not receive adequate oxygen, and the tissue begins to turn blue in color instead of pink, indicating poor oxygen levels.
Although this syndrome can be fatal if left untreated, modern therapies can typically correct the problem. It occurs most frequently in infants under six months of age, but it can also affect older children and adults, in rare cases.
The most common cause of blue baby syndrome is Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition in which four different abnormalities cause a reduction in blood oxygen. These abnormalities include ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis, thickening of the right ventricle, and a displaced or deviated aorta.
VSD is characterised by a hole in the wall of the two lower chambers of the heart. Pulmonary stenosis occurs when the pulmonic valve and the muscular area below the valve are narrower than normal. Among the major symptoms of blue baby syndrome is cyanosis, diaorrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue, extreme lethargy, poor weight gain, difficulty eating and a heart murmur.
The figures compiled by Pt Deen Dayal Upadhayay Hospital (Coronation hospital) based Fortis Escorts Hospital clearly highlighted that out of 100 patients, who complained of congenital heart defects, 10-15 per cent of new born babies are confirmed suffering blue baby syndrome. Out of the five blue baby cases, the expert team of cardiac surgeons has successfully operated three patients so far and the patients too have recuperated from their illness.
After expressing concern over congenital cardiac defects in the new born babies, Dr Saurabh Juneja, Head of the Department, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute said that it is being defined as a bluish discoloration, especially of the skin and mucous membranes, due to excessive concentration of deoxyhemoglobin in the blood caused by deoxygenation.
He said that imaging tests like chest X-rays and echocardiograms can confirm the presence of defects causing cyanotic heart disease. He told that medication can help relieve symptoms of cyanosis, but ultimately, most patients need to have surgery to correct the defects causing the disease. Dr Juneja said that the more than 10,000 OPD (Out Patients Department) cases have been dealt so far in the centre and best possible medical treatment has been provided to the patients to completely recuperate from their illness.