Acquired Heart Disease in Children

Pediatric cardiologist treats various types of heart disease in children. There are two types of heart disease in the pediatric population. There is heart disease that is genetic that newborns are born with and then there is heart disease that can be acquired through the environment in which a child is raised. The field of pediatric cardiology has noticed more and more children are suffering from acquired heart disease. This kind of heart disease is preventable if precautions are taken and a pediatric cardiologist informs the parent. This type of heart disease occurs in childhood 1-4 per 1000 children.

Kawasaki Disease and Rheumatic Heart Disease are the two most popular types of acquired heart disease in children. Pediatric cardiologists believe Kawasaki Disease to be acquired through a virus although it is not contagious. Rheumatic Heart Disease is caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat. Pediatric cardiologist have not discovered a way to prevent Kawasaki Disease.  Rheumatic Heart Disease can be prevented by taking antibiotics immediately when the child has strep throat. Contacting the local pediatric cardiology department at your hospital will keep rheumatic heart disease from developing.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Both of these conditions can be treated effectively with proper care by pediatric cardiologist. For Kawasaki Disease, the goal is to reduce inflammation around the heart. Typically, ibuprofen is prescribed to decrease swelling. If necessary, a pediatric cardiologist can intravenously administer gamma globulin to help reduce inflammation.  For Rheumatic Heart Disease, the best treatment is bed rest and antibiotics. If this does not work, then surgery may be necessary. The field of pediatric cardiology still has more research that needs to be done on acquired heart disease.