![]() During surgery, doctors widen or replace the pulmonary valve and enlarge the passage to the pulmonary artery. Tetralogy of Fallot can be treated by surgery soon after the baby is born. Newborn screening using pulse oximetry can identify some infants with a critical CHD, like tetralogy of Fallot, before they show any symptoms. Low levels of oxygen in the blood can be a sign of a critical CHD. Pulse oximetry is a simple bedside test to estimate the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood. Tetralogy of Fallot is a critical congenital heart defect (critical CHD) that may be detected with newborn screening using pulse oximetry (also known as pulse ox). Echocardiography also is useful for helping the doctor follow the child’s health over time. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that can show problems with the structure of the heart and how the heart is working (or not) with this defect. The most common test is an echocardiogram. The health care provider can request one or more tests to confirm the diagnosis. However, it is not uncommon for a heart murmur to be absent right at birth. Some findings on a physical exam may make the health care provider think a baby may have tetralogy of Fallot, including bluish-looking skin or a heart murmur (a “whooshing” sound caused by blood not flowing properly through the heart). Tetralogy of Fallot usually is diagnosed after a baby is born, often after the infant has an episode of turning blue during crying or feeding (a tet spell). This test can show problems with the structure of the heart and how the heart is working with this defect. A fetal echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart of the fetus. If so, the health care provider can request a fetal echocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis. Some findings from the ultrasound may make the health care provider suspect a baby may have tetralogy of Fallot. Tetralogy of Fallot might be seen during an ultrasound (which creates pictures of the body). During Pregnancyĭuring pregnancy, there are screening tests (also called prenatal tests) to check for birth defects and other conditions. Tetralogy of Fallot may be diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after a baby is born. Read more about CDC’s work on causes and risk factors » Diagnosis Heart defects such as tetralogy of Fallot also are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other risk factors, such as the things the mother or fetus come in contact with in the environment or what the mother eats or drinks or the medicines she uses. Some babies have heart defects because of changes in their genes or chromosomes. The causes of heart defects (such as tetralogy of Fallot) among most babies are unknown. 1 In other words, about 1 in every 2518 babies born in the United States each year are born with tetratology of Fallot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year about 1,660 babies in the United States are born with tetralogy of Fallot. Learn more about how the heart works » Occurrence Dizziness, fainting, or seizures, because of the low oxygen levels in their blood.A higher risk of having irregular heart rhythms, called arrhythmia.A higher risk of getting an infection of the layers of the heart, called endocarditis.Infants with tetralogy of Fallot or other conditions causing cyanosis can have problems including: At birth, infants might not have blue-looking skin, but later might develop sudden episodes of bluish skin during crying or feeding. Infants with tetralogy of Fallot can have a bluish-looking skin color―called cyanosis―because their blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen. This heart defect can cause oxygen in the blood that flows to the rest of the body to be reduced. This also is called ventricular hypertrophy.īecause a baby with tetralogy of Fallot may need surgery or other procedures soon after birth, this birth defect is considered a critical congenital heart defect. The muscular wall of the lower right chamber of the heart (right ventricle) is thicker than normal.In this defect, the aortic valve sits directly on top of the ventricular septal defect. ![]()
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