Early detection of infant cardiac disorder curable: Dr Dagra

Mail News Service

Ranchi: �Early detection of infant cardiac irregularities facilitates cure. These ailments prevail in infants since birth if their hearts do not develop properly while still in the embryonic stage,� stated Saket unit of Max Super Speciality Hospital�s Neonatal and Congenital Heart Surgery Department�s Chief Surgeon and Head Dr Kulbhushan Singh Dagar.

Dr Dagar pointed out that some types of heart ailments in infants were related to pregnant mothers taking antiepileptic medicines during the initial periods of their pregnancy which was the actual period of the child�s heart development in the embryonic state.  He warned, �If during the first few months of pregnancy uncontrolled diabetic conditions or viral infections prevail, there is every chance of the infant developing serious cardiac ailments. Smoking too adversely affects the child�s heart condition at this stage.�

Dr Kulbhushan Singh Dagar observed that parents were usually worried about the enlarged heart conditions of their infants. He said that enlarged heart in itself was not a disease but a precursor to serious cardiac ailments that should be diagnosed through tests and immediate remedial actions should be taken. �An enlarged heart can lead to holes in the organ, cardiovascular problems, liquid formation around the heart and may also account for low red blood corpuscle count, thyroid disorder and hypertension. Immediate tests should be conducted and if the results are positive, corrective treatment should be undertaken without delay,� the Surgeon explained.