I'm really worried because my fourth baby was found to have a small hole in the heart during an echo test done by a baby heart specialist. He said there's no need for medication right now and just advised a follow-up in six months. Does this mean it could be serious? Will this affect my baby's life in the future? What kind of care should we be giving our baby, and are there any treatments we should consider?

Dr Shubham Chauhan

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 4+ Yrs

Consult Now

It sounds like your baby has been diagnosed with a small hole in the heart, also known as a ventricular septal defect (VSD). In many cases, small VSDs can close on their own as the child grows. It is important to follow up with the baby heart specialist as recommended. In the meantime, you can ensure your baby receives proper nutrition and regular check-ups. It is important to monitor your baby for any signs of respiratory distress, poor feeding, or failure to thrive. If the VSD does not close on its own and causes symptoms, the specialist may recommend surgical intervention. However, in many cases, no treatment is necessary and the hole may close on its own over time. Remember to follow the specialist's advice and attend all follow-up appointments for monitoring the VSD.

Answered 9 days ago