enlarged Heart in 7 months old boy

[Tariq0630]

Dear Form:
I would like to ask a specific question regarding enlarged heart .
My 7 months old child having an enlarged heart reported while an X -ray is done for the possibilities of pneumonia.


What does enlarged heart mean and how serious it is for my kid ?


BR
Tariq

[kenkeith]

An enlarged heart often is the result of the hard work the heart may be experiencing.    A heavier than normal workload can be due a heart valve defect, Sometimes there is a hole between chambers that usually closes as an infant grows and that can cause the heart to work harder, There could be heart muscle damage that impairs the pumping ability and the heart works harder to meet demand for oxygenated blood, etc.  Worst case scenarios.

A distressed respiratory system could cause the heart to work harder.  Correct the underlying cause and the heart should return to normal dimensions.

The danger is the heart can enlarge to the degree that causes a loss of contractility and eventually heart failure. Sometimes x-rays are not very clear and the doctors my want to do further testing to rule out anything serious...don't jump to conclusions based on an x-ray without confirmation..

[grendslori]

An enlarged heart in a baby is bnot a good sign and I'm sure you are being sent to see a pediatric cardiologist at this point, The heart can be enlarged due to thin walls on the heart or thickened walls. What does the cardiologist tell you your baby's problem is?

[kenkeith]

Are you indicating "...'thin' walls on the heart" of the LV can be a giant aneurysm? Not a relevant issue regarding dilated heart if "thin" heart wall is ever an issue for heart enlargement...usually thin or weak wall in a cardiovascular setting refers to an aneurysm!  Not dilated (enlarged) heart.  

Thickened heart wall is problematic as there are filling restrictions and reduced contractility due to rigidity of the wall.