Congenital Heart Defect
Awareness Week
February 7-14, 2008
An international coalition of families, individuals, non-profit
organizations, support groups, and health professionals participate in a
campaign to increase public awareness of Congenital Heart Defects and
Childhood Heart Disease.
Media Kit
Signs
and Symptoms of Heart Defects
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Parents
should be alert to the following symptoms in infancy:
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Tires easily during feeding (i.e. falls asleep before feeding
finishes
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Sweating around the head, especially during feeding
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Fast breathing when at rest or sleeping
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Pale or bluish skin color
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Poor weight gain
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Sleeps a lot - not playful or curious for any length of
time
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Puffy face, hands, and/or feet
- Often irritable, difficult to console
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Some children with CHDs may not have any symptoms until
later in childhood. Things to look for include:
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Gets out of breath during play
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Difficulty "keeping up" with playmates
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Tires easily/sleeps a lot
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Change in color during active play or sports (looks pale or
has a bluish tint around mouth and nose)
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Frequent colds and respiratory illnesses
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Slow growth and weight gain/poor appetite
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Complains of chest pain and/or heart pounding
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If your child has two or more of these symptoms, talk to your
pediatrician about a referral to a Pediatric Cardiologist.
Top of Page
Main CHD Awareness Week Page
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