Latest news with #TetralogyofFallot


Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Paediatrician explains Blue Baby Syndrome: Know causes, symptoms and treatment
A newborn's initial days require close attention and care, as even subtle changes can indicate serious underlying health issues, which may worsen over time if it does not receive proper medical care. This is why a newborn's parents need to be aware of any warning signals, as timely intervention can make all the difference. One of the concerns of the early days is the Blue Baby Syndrome. Anytime there's a deficiency of oxygen in the baby's body, blue baby syndrome occurs. (Shutterstock) ALSO READ: Baby skincare in monsoon: Dermat shares 5 skin problems and how to prevent them Weighing in on this, Dr (Prof) Virender Kumar Gehlawat, Consultant - Paediatrics & Head PICU, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, shared with HT Lifestyle about blue baby syndrome, which can mysteriously appear in the early days. He said, 'For some infants, a mysterious bluish tint in the skin, lips, nails, and mucous membrane appears, signalling a medical emergency - one known as Blue Baby Syndrome. Blue Baby Syndrome is not a disease in itself, but a sign of an underlying medical condition often indicating an underlying cardiac, Pulmonary or haemoglobin-related disorder resulting from insufficient oxygen in a baby's bloodstream, medically known as cyanosis.' Blue baby syndrome happens to infants under six months old.(Shutterstock) Since the primary cause of Blue Baby Syndrome is a lack of adequate oxygen in the body, parents need to monitor their baby's oxygen levels. As Dr Gehlawat explained,'Detecting cyanosis with the naked eye can be challenging, especially in mild cases, dark-skinned babies, or those with anaemia. Therefore, using a pulse oximeter, a simple device that measures oxygen levels in the blood, is crucial whenever cyanosis is suspected.' Why does it happen? 'Blue Baby Syndrome occurs when there is insufficient oxygen reaching the body's tissues. This can happen due to three main reasons: heart defects, lung problems, and abnormal haemoglobin, ' Dr Gehlawat opined. He shared three main reasons which may contribute to the oxygen deficiency: Heart defects: Congenital heart diseases like Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries, or truncus arteriosus may lead to mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood, reducing overall oxygen delivery to the body. Lung problems: Conditions like pneumonia, respiratory distress, or underdeveloped lungs in premature babies can impair oxygen exchange in the lungs, causing cyanosis. Abnormal haemoglobin: Rarely, disorders like methemoglobinemia interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leading to bluish discoloration even when lungs and heart are normal. What are the signs and symptoms? First of all, recognising the symptoms is essential, and can even be life-saving. A baby may seem healthy at birth, but certain symptoms can emerge soon after. Dr Gehlawat described the symptoms and tests, checks that help in diagnosis, "Babies with TOF may look normal at birth but begin to show signs and symptoms within the first few weeks of life. The classic symptom is bluish discolouration of the lips, tongue, and fingertips, especially during crying or feeding. Some babies experience sudden worsening of cyanosis, known as a 'Tet spell', where the child becomes very blue, breathless, and irritable. A good history, physical examination, 2D-Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), and other cardiac imaging confirm the diagnosis." Is it treatable? While it may seem disheartening when newborns face such serious conditions, Dr Gehlawat offered reassurance and explained that there's hope for recovery. He said, "Yes, Tetralogy of Fallot is a surgically correctable condition. Babies may initially require medications or a temporary surgical procedure to improve oxygenation. Definitive open-heart surgery, usually performed within the first year of life, repairs the structural defects and allows the heart to function normally. With timely intervention, most children go on to live healthy, active lives.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.


India Today
22-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Four complex heart procedures performed without a single cut all-in-one day
In what cardiologists are calling a major step forward for congenital heart disease management in India, four patients underwent Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement (TPVR) procedures on July 3rd at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, without requiring open-heart surgery. TPVR is a minimally invasive technique that replaces a damaged heart valve using a thin, flexible tube (catheter) inserted through a blood vessel, avoiding the need to open the chest patients, all of whom had undergone surgery during childhood for Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a birth-related heart condition that affects normal blood flow through the heart, had returned years later with complications from a leaking pulmonary valve. This kind of leakage is a known long-term consequence of the initial repair. Traditionally, such cases would require another round of open-heart surgery, which comes with significant risks and extended the cardiology team carried out the TPVR procedures using the Harmony Valve system, a new-generation valve made of biological tissue and mounted on a metal frame. As a result of this treatment, the four patients: a 37-year-old from Delhi, a 17-year-old from Noida, a 14-year-old from Gurgaon, and a 15-year-old from Noida, were each discharged within 48 hours of the procedure, a significant reduction from the usual 10-12 day hospital stay. "Globally, nearly 40% of patients who undergo childhood repair for Tetralogy of Fallot will require a pulmonary valve replacement within three decades." said Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Head & Professor, Paediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Disease,'In India, the vast majority of these reinterventions are still managed through conventional surgery. Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement (TPVR) offers a less invasive, faster alternative with a global success rate exceeding 95%, yet its uptake in India remains under 10%. This is largely due to issues of cost, access, and the fact that most clinical protocols here still prioritise surgical options.'Dr. Sushil Azad, Deputy Head & Principal Consultant, Paediatric Cardiology added, 'The TVPR procedure is particularly valuable for patients with prior multiple open-heart procedures or high surgical risk. In a country like India, where an estimated 200,000 children are born each year with congenital heart disease and access to timely surgical care remains limited, broader adoption of TPVR could be transformative. Integrating TPVR into standard CHD care pathways can help us deliver safer, faster, and more sustainable treatment to thousands who currently face delayed or repeated high-risk surgeries.'A multidisciplinary team of 5 interventional and pediatric cardiologists including Dr. Ankit Garg, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology; Dr. Savita Krishnamurthy Guin, Assistant Professor, Paediatric Cardiology; and Dr. Shashikapoor Dubbar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Paediatric Cardiology were involved in the successful procedures, with each lasting roughly 60 to 90 Hospital is currently the only centre in India independently authorised to perform the Harmony Valve implantation without international Hospitals is a leading multi-specialty healthcare institution committed to delivering world-class medical care with compassion and innovation. Established in 1998 under the visionary guidance of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), Amrita Hospitals operates with the core philosophy that healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.- Ends


The Star
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Malaysian NGO seeking help for little boy Shao Heng who needs gastrostomy surgery and born with congenital genetic defects
The Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia, a Malaysian NGO organisation, is now urgently seeking funds to improve a toddler's health. Shao Heng is a 5-year-old boy who has been part of the Malaysian NGO organisation family since he was just a month old in 2020. Over the past few years, the NGO has walked alongside him, through every challenge, never giving up. He was born with multiple complex medical conditions, including: - Cerebral palsy (due to an underlying genetic disorder) - Cyanotic congenital heart disease (Tetralogy of Fallot) with pulmonary atresia and collateral vessels - Severe developmental delay, along with swallowing and feeding difficulties - Despite all this, Shao Heng continues to warm every heart with his radiant smile. His strength and optimism inspire us every single day. Long-Term Feeding Tube Has Caused Complications – Surgery Urgently Needed Since birth, Shao Heng has relied on a nasogastric (NG) tube for feeding due to his inability to swallow. After five years of NG tube use, he has begun to suffer frequent fevers and has been diagnosed with multiple complications, including: Feeding difficulties , Poor nutrient absorption , Increased risk of infection Doctors now strongly recommend a Percutaneous Gastrostomy – a surgical procedure that allows him to receive nutrition directly through the stomach. This would allow Shao Heng to live more safely and comfortably. Due to his serious heart condition, the surgery must be conducted with great care, under the supervision of specialized anesthetic and surgical teams, to ensure his safety. Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia Urgently Need RM30,000 for Surgery and Medical Costs "Time is running out. We are doing everything we can to raise RM30,000 for Shao Heng's life-changing surgery and medical care," said the NGO. "This procedure will give him a chance to grow in better health so that he will no longer suffer from feeding complications, infections, and pain." "In this difficult moment, we sincerely invite Malaysians to join hands with us." " Your support is not just a kind gesture — it is a lifeline. Together, we can give Shao Heng the fighting chance he deserves ," added the NGO. The statement also said: "We hope that kind-hearted individuals can contribute generously to assist Little Shao Heng. Thank you." Those who wish to know more about the patient situation can contact the person in charge Ms SUSAN NG at 014-3323960 or email susanng@ on behalf of Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia. The NGO office in Jalan Gasing is open for visits daily from Monday to Saturday (10am till 6pm).
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Baby girl whose parents were told was 'perfectly healthy' needed open-heart surgery
A 'perfectly healthy' County Durham baby was rushed to hospital for open-heart surgery due to a congenital heart defect that was not detected on ultrasounds. Baby Arabella was just 12-days-old when she was taken to Newcastle's Freeman Hospital after her parents, Lauren Robinson and Nathan Bridger, noticed a blue tint to her skin. Lauren, of Willington, told The Northern Echo: "The blue tint developed after a few days. Her hands and feet were always a sort of purple colour too. "After she was born, doctors described Bella as 'perfectly healthy'. We'd seen a few midwives, and I had mentioned about Bella's colour, and they said it was quite normal for newborns. "But when Bella was 12-days-old, we had a health visitor come out. She said, to put our minds at ease, she would like us to see the GP. He took her SATs and they weren't reading good and we were sent to Durham Hospital. "She declined extremely quickly. By the time we got to Durham, Bella's oxygen was that low, that they were very worried and put her on medication". Lauren and Nathan said they were told if the medication worked and raised Arabella's oxygen levels, something was wrong. And it did exactly that, and Arabella was blue-lighted to the Freeman Hospital. Arabella at home the week before the surgery (Image: LAUREN ROBINSON) Lauren, who is a sales team leader and Nathan, a landscape gardener, were told Arabella had Tetralogy of Fallot, a group of four structural abnormalities within the heart that occur together. After receiving the news their baby had a congenital heart condition, Lauren said she was "horrified". "We felt guilty, because they explained that Bella had been struggling for those 12 days at home. It was traumatic. Going from what we thought was a perfectly healthy baby to essentially being told if we had left it a couple more hours Bella wouldn't have made it was horrifying", she said. Lauren continued: "Her heart had essentially struggled for nearly two weeks to the point that her pulmonary artery had completely closed by the time we got to the Freeman. That was on Wednesday, March 12 when we were brought in. We were kept in over the weekend, she was kept stable in ICU, then on the Monday she was fitted with a stent. "We were released on the Friday with a specialist formula to take home as she needed to put weight on for the surgery. So, we knew then she was going to need open-heart surgery, but ideally that's done between six and 11-months-old". But on May 28, baby Arabella was rushed back to the Freeman Hospital as her oxygen saturation levels had dropped dramatically and the family were told she would have to have surgery sooner. She underwent the operation on Monday, June 2 and is thankfully recovering well. Arabella after the surgery (Image: LAUREN ROBINSON) However, little Arabella's family have been told she will need surgery again in the future, as surgeons could not save her pulmonary artery. "They did all of the other fixes because Tetralogy of Fallot is actually four defects in one. They fixed the other three defects, but they had to cut her pulmonary artery out", Lauren said. Arabella's parents praised the surgeon who operated on their baby saying she saved her life. She said: "The surgeon, Louise Kenny, she is absolutely can't thank Freeman enough, because without them and without Louise Kenny, Bella wouldn't be here." Lauren and Nathan are currently staying in onsite accommodation at Freeman Hospital. A GoFundMe has been set up to help them with paying the bills and the costs of looking after Lauren's other two children, 13-year-old twins Lewis and Imogen. Lauren said: "The GoFundMe alleviates some of the pressure as Nathan is not working and I am on statuary maternity pay, so not a lot of money is coming in. We can't thank everyone enough who has donated". You can donate to the fundraiser by clicking here. Lauren and Nathan with baby Arabella (Image: LAUREN ROBINSON)


Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
City Docs Save Woman With Congenital Heart Defect Without Open Surgery
Nagpur: In a groundbreaking development, Nagpur-based doctors performed a rare and highly advanced heart procedure that saved a young woman's life — without open heart surgery. The patient, born with a complex congenital heart defect known as Blue baby syndrome (Tetralogy of Fallot or TOF), a condition wherein a baby's skin turns bluish due to lack of oxygen in blood, had undergone a major open-heart surgery as a child. Now an adult, she recently became severely unwell due to a leaking heart valve and needed another major surgery. Instead of undergoing another high-risk open-heart operation, she received a minimally invasive treatment — much like angioplasty — through a vein in her leg. Incredibly, the patient was able to walk and talk just an hour after the procedure and was ready to go home within 24 hours. This life-saving and rare procedure, known as Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation, was successfully carried out by Dr Manish Chokhandre, senior interventional paediatric cardiologist at Arneja Heart Institute. "Redo open-heart surgeries are extremely risky, especially in adults with childhood congenital heart conditions," explained Dr Chokhandre. "We carefully studied the patient's unique heart structure, custom-designed a special valve, and performed the entire procedure without opening the chest. " Welcoming the advancement, Dr Amar Amale, president of Cardiological Society of India (CSI), Vidarbha chapter, said, "Gone are the days when children had to undergo open-heart surgery with large chest incisions. Paediatric cardiology has advanced to a level where even a complex congenital heart condition in an adult, who earlier had childhood surgery, can now be treated through a simple leg vein — just like an angioplasty. It's a huge leap in cardiac care." "Paediatric cardiology needs more attention. One in every 100 children is born with a heart defect. Many go undiagnosed or are diagnosed too late," said Dr Chokhandre, who regularly performs heart procedures on newborns. Veteran cardiologist Dr Jaspal Arneja said, "Thanks to medical advances and new technologies, even complex heart problems can be treated more safely. With artificial intelligence (AI) helping us understand heart function better, we can now offer more accurate and effective treatment." This successful case from Nagpur brings hope to hundreds of children and adults born with heart defects — and shows how medical science and skillful execution are transforming lives, one heartbeat at a time. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !