Pediatric cardiac diseases can be either congenital or acquired in nature.

Child affected with congenital heart diseases can manifest as:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Poor weight gain or weight loss
  • Frequent cough and cold
  • Pneumonia
  • Hospital admission for lung infections
  • Bluish discolouration of lips and fingers (cyanosis)
  • Fainting or syncopal attacks
  • Chest pain
  • Inconsolable crying
  • Abnormal heart sounds/beat/murmurs
  • Swelling on body parts
  • Tired very early as compared to peer groups
  • Frequent leg pains etc

Acquired heart disease affected child can presents as

  • Signs of heart failure, respiratory distress or cough and cold as in case of myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Persistent fever as in case of infective endocarditis (IE)
  • Signs of myocardial infarction or ischemia in cases of Kawasaki disease
  • Signs of abnormal heart beat or syncope as seen in dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/restrictive cardiomyopathy etc