The signs and symptoms of VSD vary and it depends mainly on the size of the VSD (hole). If the hole is small, child may be asymptomatic. Children or young adults with small VSD only show signs of a heart murmur (Ventricular Septal Defect murmur) that is detected by their family physician/pediatrician.
A medium or large sized VSD (hole) is likely to exhibit the following noticeable symptoms in children:
- Rapid breathing/breathlessness
- Pneumonia like situation
- Poor weight gain/ failure to thrive
- Poor feeding
- Early tiredness and fatigue
- Excessive sweating
- Inability to engage in physical activities
- An enlarged heart
- A tint of blue on the lips, fingernails, and skin in late stages of large VSD (Eisenmenger VSD)
These symptoms indicate that the VSD will most likely not close by itself, and therefore, require early treatment (VSD treatment).
If left untreated, Ventricular Septal Defect may lead to further complications such as pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, or Eisenmenger complex like situation.
Dr Gaurav Agrawal is a Pediatric Cardiologist (Child and Fetal heart Specialist). Dr Agrawal is a pediatrician who has specialized training in the treatment of various child heart related problems (neonates to 18 years of age). He is also having a vast experience in fetal echocardiography.
He is one of the very few pediatricians in India who practices pediatric cardiology exclusively. Cardiac problems in children are common in children, sometimes life threating and often not diagnosed properly. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is very important. Areas of specific interest include child echocardiography including fetal echocardiography, diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization (pediatric cardiac holes closure by device, opening of obstructed cardiac valves by balloons etc).