VSD

Does VSD of size 3.2mm heal by its own if diagnosed after 5days in a new born baby?

[Jeffrey R Boris, M.D.]

Dear Asmadalvi,

Without evaluating your baby, I cannot say for sure whether this defect will specifically close.  It depends on several things, including if the baby is term vs. premature, as well as where the defect is located.  However, assuming that the baby is born at term and that it is a perimembranous or a midmuscular defect, the likelihood of spontaneous closure is good but not 100%.  And, in the end, closure of the defect it is not as important as if the defect is hemodynamically restrictive, which means that it lets just a little bit of blood go through the hole.  If it is restrictive, babies and children can live essentially completely normal lives without complications, although if it is a perimembranous defect, they should get routine pediatric cardiology follow-up to ensure that the aortic valve does not get damaged by flow through the defect.