The most common heart problems in children are congenital. Thatis, they were present at birth. Sometimes part of the heart is missing or barely develops. In these cases the doctor usually notices something when the baby is born. Babies with severe congenital heart problems may need surgery at an early age to survive.

More often the heart can have a small abnormality that may or may not be noticeable at birth. If there is a hole in the heart wall that lets blood go from one side to another, the baby or child may have blue lips or fingers. Sometimes these holes heal up and at other times they need to be fixed with surgery. Other problems, such as an abnormal heart valve may allow blood to go back into the heart when it is not supposed to or prevent blood from flowing easily. These problems may also need surgery, but surgery can often be postponed until the child is older. Children can sometimes have abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmias. Most of these arrhythmias are not serious and will not affect the child or their life span. Others are more serious and may require treatment.

Some heart diseases in children are not congenital. Years ago, children could often get heart problems from a strep infection that caused rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever could damage the heart muscle or heart valves. Children still get rheumatic ever. But, with antibiotic treatment of strep infections, it is much less common. There are other diseases, such as muscular dystrophy and Kawasaki Disease that can affect the heart muscle or the arteries of the heart. These diseases are rare and should be treated by a specialist in children's diseases.

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