Everyone Healthy Library
Newborn: Heart Defects
Sign or symptom reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
! Seek urgent medical care if warning signs appear
A symptom can have many possible causes. Some symptoms need urgent assessment, especially when they are severe, sudden or rapidly worsening.
Get urgent medical care now if there is any severe, sudden, rapidly worsening or worrying symptom, especially:
- chest pain, pressure or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
- trouble breathing, blue lips, severe wheeze or choking
- stroke-like symptoms such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech trouble
- collapse, fainting, seizure, confusion or extreme drowsiness
- severe bleeding, black stools, vomiting blood or major injury
- severe allergic reaction, swelling of the face/throat or widespread rash with breathing trouble
- severe abdominal pain, severe headache, stiff neck or sudden vision change
- signs of severe dehydration, sepsis, high fever with worsening illness, or symptoms in a baby/young child that concern you
Full information
Newborn: Heart Defects
A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart that is present at birth. They are the most common type of birth defect. Many congenital heart defects cause few or no signs and symptoms. They are often not diagnosed until the children are older. Signs and symptoms of severe defects include rapid breathing, cyanosis (bluish tint to skin, lips and fingernails), fatigue, and poor circulation. Physical examinations and special heart tests are used to diagnose congenital heart defects.
Conditions linked to this sign/symptom
6Drugs where this is listed as a side effect
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