Overview

What is an atrioventricular canal defect in children?

An atrioventricular (AAV) canal defect is a congenital heart defect that has been known to be present at birth. There's a large opening in the center of the heart, created because of the structural problems in the heart.

These defects include an atrial septal defect, which is an opening in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart's right and left atria. Another defect is called a ventricular septal defect, which occurs as an opening in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart, known as the right and left ventricles. Other defects that can lead to the formation of this defect are the improper development of the mitral and tricuspid valves, wherein the valves at the juncture between the upper and lower chambers of the heart are not formed properly.

What are the symptoms of atrioventricular canal defect (ACD) in children?

Atrioventricular canal disfigurement may manifest with many symptoms that can mimic those of other heart defects.

Infants and children with AV canal defects commonly present with symptoms such as distressing, sweating, pale and cool skin, rapid and hard breathing, rapid heartbeat, chest traffic, feeding problems, and reluctant weight gain. The intensity of these signs varies depending on the diameter of the opening between the septa in the child's heart. However, a larger opening may have more blood crossing it than will fill the heart and lungs.

With time, the pressure in the child's lungs will cause blood to flow back into the heart. This blood contains low oxygen conditions and is also taken throughout the child's body. Consequently, the lips, nail beds, and skin of the child may appear blue (cyanosis).

What causes atrioventricular Canal Defect (ACD) in children?

Hereditary factors and home history can contribute to the formation of AV conduit defect, which may arise due to conditions similar to Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities.

What are the diagnosis and test for atrioventricular canal defect (ACD)?

Your child might express an opinion through ultrasound during pregnancy, or a heart defect might be suspected by the doctor while hearing an abnormal sound (heart murmur) while listening to the child's heart with a stethoscope.

The condition may be accompanied by symptoms of heart disease. In such situations, the pediatrician to whom your child is reporting may advise consulting a pediatric cardiologist. The pediatric cardiologist will listen for any murmur in the heart and lungs by doing a comprehensive assessment of your child. The physician will be able to provide an opinion based on the location and volume of the murmur.

The child's doctor may carry out other tests to confirm the opinion based on age, condition, and the doctor's preference.

Echocardiogram (echo): This is the gold standard test for AV canal defect diagnosis. Echocardiogram uses sound swells to produce a detailed image of the heart's structure and function. The echo can fantasize the hole in the septum, a deformed valve, and any abnormalities in the inflow of blood.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): This is the amount of electrical effort produced by the heart, which can help in establishing concealed rhythm disorders associated with the defect.
Chest X-ray: Not diagnostic for AVD, a chest X-ray may give new insight into the size and configuration of the heart that could indicate an anomaly in its anatomy.
Pulse oximetry: This is a simple test that measures oxygen circumstances in the blood by placing a clip on a fingertip. It may assist in judging if it is significantly affecting the oxygen circumstances owing to mixed oxygenated and deoxygenated blood related to the defect. In unusual cases, even if all these tests fail to clarify the opinion, a physician may suggest
Cardiac catheterization: A thin tube is inserted into a blood vessel and passed to the heart to directly fantasize the defect and measure blood pressure across the valve.

What are the treatments for an atrioventricular canal defect in children?

The course of treatment for your child will depend on the symptoms displayed by your child, as well as their age and overall health. Another criterion that will be considered for establishing the appropriate course of treatment is the rigidity of the condition. For an atrioventricular canal defect, every child will undergo surgery for the defect.

Other treatments may be required based on the individual case:

Medications may be given to enhance the action of the heart and lungs. This may include specifics such as Digoxin, which has a helpful effect on improving the pumping action of the heart, diuretics to remove excessive fluids in the body, and ACE inhibitors used to lubricate the inflow to the blood.

Nutritional considerations are also important, especially if the baby might have had a tiring feed. Maybe high-calorie formula or bone milk would be required with special nutritional supplements and, on very rare occasions, some supplementary tube feedings.

Infection control is, therefore, very crucial in a child suffering from a problem with the heart because such children are at an advanced risk of developing infections. You should share your child's AV canal defect information with all healthcare providers; sometimes, your child might be required to take antibiotics in advance of medical tests or procedures to prevent infections.

Surgery is an essential procedure to restore the openings between the septa and the heart valve to avoid further damaging the lungs. The time of the surgery will be determined by your child's heart doctor. Once discharged from the sanitarium, antibiotics may be specified to help with infections.

Is an atrioventricular septal defect preventable in children?

A septal defect of the AV cannot be prevented. However, there are some ways to lower your baby's chance of having a congenital heart abnormality if you're pregnant:

Avoidance of alcohol, cigarettes, and recreational drugs.
Building up the necessary vaccinations that prevent diseases
Maintenance of a healthy weight for yourself
Management of long-term medical conditions
Obeying your doctor's orders by taking prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid

How should I care for my child?

You may need to restrict your child's level of physical activity. Ask the pediatric cardiologist if you need to do this with your child.

Children with an atrioventricular septal defect may have to receive antibiotics before seeing the dentist. This can prevent an infection known as endocarditis from happening to your heart. You can discuss this with your child's cardiologist, too.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Pediatric Atrioventricular Canal Defect?

Tender Palm Hospital has the most experienced team of Pediatric Cardiologists, Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons, and diagnostics with the latest and International standard infection control measures in Lucknow, India. The Pediatric cardiac science centre team has decades of experience in successfully treating Pediatric Atrioventricular Canal Defect.