According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a baby with a heart defect is born every 15 minutes in the United States. While many congenital heart defects are mild, some can be serious or even life-threatening.
Of the 40,000 babies born with a heart defect each year, one in four have what’s known as a “critical heart defect,” meaning one that requires surgery or another intervention to correct it within the first year of life.
But what about congenital heart defects that don’t cause symptoms and aren’t detected soon after birth? In many cases, a heart defect can be present and never cause any problems, but sometimes, congenital heart defects or another heart health issue that develops over time can lead to sudden cardiac death.
That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children be screened to assess their risk of sudden cardiac death. This simple screening can help identify children who need to be assessed and treated by a pediatric cardiovascular specialist.
Understanding the Risk
If you’ve always thought about “heart health” as something that only adults need to pay attention to, think again. Our habits during childhood help create the foundation for how healthy our hearts are when we’re adults.
It’s also possible for children and teens to experience heart health issues, including problems related to congenital heart defects and other conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
A 2021 report from the CDC found that approximately 2,000 people in the U.S. younger than 25 years old die each year of sudden cardiac death. Most of those deaths are associated with structural heart anomalies, such as congenital heart defects, but in up to 40% of cases, the underlying cause is unknown.
The AAP recommends pediatricians take an active role in preventing these sudden cardiac deaths by screening patients, advocating for CPR training and the placement of automatic external defibrillators in their community. This includes screening, not just of athletes, but all children.
Learn more about our experts at University Health Pediatric Cardiology Specialists.
What Parents Can Do
If you’ve been parenting for a while, you know injuries and illnesses can simply happen, regardless of our best intentions. But there are steps you can take to help protect your child. Start with these basics:
Keep Up With Regular Checkups
While it can be tempting to put off medical appointments when things get busy, well-child visits are very important. These checkups allow pediatricians to take a close look at a child’s health and well-being, which can help them identify potential problems before they develop.
After a child is born, they go through a state-mandated congenital heart screening. This screening continues at every well-child visit, which is recommended at least annually. As your child grows, pediatricians will order additional lab work around certain milestones, all of which help check their heart health.
Thoughtfully Answer the Screening Questions
AAP guidelines call for pediatricians to perform the sudden cardiac death risk assessment at least every 3 years or when a child enters middle and high school. This simple screening includes four questions that assess whether a child is at risk of a serious cardiovascular event.
If your child’s pediatrician hasn’t performed the cardiac risk screening or you aren’t sure if your child has had one, speak up and ask about it.
Learn About Your Family Medical History
Two of the four questions on the cardiac risk screening ask about family medical history, so make sure you have a good understanding of your extended family’s heart health and any medical conditions they have.
Many heart health issues associated with sudden cardiac death have a genetic component, meaning they can run in families. If your family has a history of conditions such as cardiomyopathy or abnormal heart rhythms, be sure to let your child’s pediatrician know. This can help guide your child’s care.
Know Your Child’s Personal Risk
If your child had a congenital heart defect, make sure that’s clearly noted in your child’s medical records. That’s true even for congenital heart defects that were surgically repaired.
You should also pay close attention to your child’s overall health and the important heart health numbers, including weight, blood pressure and heart rate. If you have a family history of heart health problems or your child is experiencing troublesome symptoms, your child’s provider may also order tests that gauge other heart health indicators, such as cholesterol and blood sugar.
Follow Up on Follow-up Recommendations
If your answers to the sudden cardiac death risk assessment indicate your child is at a high risk of cardiac arrest, your child’s pediatrician will refer you to a pediatric cardiovascular specialist. This type of medical provider has specialized training in the unique heart health needs of children.
To further identify your child’s risk of serious heart problems, a pediatric cardiovascular specialist will order additional tests, including an electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG. An EKG can reveal problems with the electrical functions of your child’s heart.
Your child may also undergo tests to examine the heart’s structure and the surrounding circulatory system. Based on the results of these tests, a pediatric cardiologist can recommend a treatment plan or strategy for protecting your child’s health, now and in the future.
Pediatric Heart Care at University Health
Our University Health Pediatric Congenital Heart Center is the only dedicated pediatric heart care center in South Texas. When your child’s heart is at stake, you can rely on our team of heart experts to help your child.
Talk to your child’s primary care provider about getting a referral to meet with one of our pediatric cardiologists or call 210-644-4600 for more information.
