Pediatric Dilated Aorta

Do you have any recommendations to prevent or minimize the growth of a dilated aorta in a 5 year old as the child ages or other actions which can be taken to prevent surgery.  The father had surgery to correct same issue at age 35

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

Unfortunately, most surgery requiring aortic changes at this young age are some congenital connective tissue disorder. ie the blood vessel wall is weak. There is some evidence that tight control of blood pressure decreases the rate of growth over time. But not many infants and adolescents suffer from high blood pressure. there is a lot of research regarding aneurysm growth however and hopefully, we discover a strategy to slow growth and lastly, no one can predict what genetic predisposition for aneurysm is passed on so it may never occur in  your son.