According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, congenital heart defects, or CHDs, are a leading cause of birth defect-related illness and death in infants in the United States. According to one 2010 study, more than 2 million infants, children, teens, and adults in the US were living with CHDs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, congenital heart defects, or CHDs, are a leading cause of birth defect-related illness and death in infants in the United States. According to one 2010 study, more than 2 million infants, children, teens, and adults in the US were living with CHDs.
Researchers found that an estimated 1 million children and approximately 1.4 million adults in the country were living with CHDs. These defects, affect about 40,000, or nearly 1%, births each year in the US. The most common type of CHD is a ventricular septal defect, or VSD.
Types of Ventricular Septal Defects
Ventricular septal defect is a hole in the wall that separates the heart’s two lower chambers. Its cause in most children is not known. As mentioned earlier, it is one of the most common types of heart defect, but some children can have other heart defects and a ventricular septal defect at the same time.
An infant with VSD can have one or more holes in different locations in the septum. These holes have different names. Here is a look at some common locations and names:
- Conoventricular Ventricular Septal Defect: This is, in general, a hole where parts of the ventricular septum should meet just below the aortic and pulmonary valves.
- Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect: This is a hole that is located in the ventricular septum’s upper section.
- Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect: This is a hole located in the muscular, lower part of the septum. It is also the most common type of VSD.
- Inlet Ventricular Septal Defect: This is a hole in the septum located near the spot through which the blood enters the ventricles via the mitral and tricuspid valves. This sort of VSD might also be part of another heart defect known as an atrioventricular septal defect, or AVSD.
The Effects of Ventricular Septal Defects
If the hole in the ventricular septum is small, there will be no symptoms as the heart and lungs do not have to work harder. A Loud murmur is the only abnormal finding in most cases. However, if it is a large hole, the infant may tend to breathe faster and also harder than normal.
They may have difficulty feeding and may not grow at a normal rate. Infants may not experience any symptoms until a couple of weeks after birth. There may be high pressure in the lungs because more blood is being pumped there. This might, over time, result in permanent damage to blood vessels in the lungs.
If it is a small VSD, or has been closed with surgery, it may not be necessary to take special precautions for your child when it comes to physical activities. They can likely take part in regular activities without increased risk.
RMFW Law Knows Medical Malpractice in New York
If your child has developed a ventricular septal defect due to your doctor’s negligence in New York, you should immediately consult the profound medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000.
RMFW Law knows how to win these types of cases. These kinds of cases are not easy to win. Medical malpractice cases require a medical expert to back up your claim. We can find them for you if your case is viable. What is your side of the story? What really happened? Let’s set up an appointment. We can come to you if that is better for you.
You have lots to win if you call us up and plenty to lose if you do not. We only take a percentage at the end so really you never have to write us a check. Call RMFW Law now!
