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3,5 years old with VSD
Hi, I'm very concerned about my 3,5 years old new diagnosis. His VSD went unnoticed until 3 years old. After heart murmur was detected, we had an echo and the findings were the following:
- Small VSD (I dont know how many mm?? not included in report) with peak gradient 70 mmHg
- Mild TR noted on doppler study
- Overall good bi-ventricular contractile function
- Normal coronary origins
My son is very active little boy, his physical development is on track and I had no idea. He is a small boy, but still within normal range for his age. He did have problems with gaining weight during hi first year (he was born being 8 lbs, he was 19 lbs at 12 months and now at 3,5 years he is 30 lbs).
What are the consequences of such a late diagnosis? Is it common for these defects to be unnoticed?
- Small VSD (I dont know how many mm?? not included in report) with peak gradient 70 mmHg
- Mild TR noted on doppler study
- Overall good bi-ventricular contractile function
- Normal coronary origins
My son is very active little boy, his physical development is on track and I had no idea. He is a small boy, but still within normal range for his age. He did have problems with gaining weight during hi first year (he was born being 8 lbs, he was 19 lbs at 12 months and now at 3,5 years he is 30 lbs).
What are the consequences of such a late diagnosis? Is it common for these defects to be unnoticed?
With a small VSD, there is minimal shunting of blood and the pressure in the right ventricle remains normal.
If it was found earlier, the doctor would probably just have monitored if the VSD would close in the first years of your boy's life, because VSDs often close spontaneously.
The mild TR is no problem and normally does not need monitoring.
Therefore there are not much consequences of the late diagnosis.
Now that your son at age 3,5 still has the VSD, chances of spontaneous closure are getting smaller.
Did his cardiologist suggest treatment?
In small VSD, surgical repair is usually not recommended. However, long-term follow-up is required.
If it was found earlier, the doctor would probably just have monitored if the VSD would close in the first years of your boy's life, because VSDs often close spontaneously.
The mild TR is no problem and normally does not need monitoring.
Therefore there are not much consequences of the late diagnosis.
Now that your son at age 3,5 still has the VSD, chances of spontaneous closure are getting smaller.
Did his cardiologist suggest treatment?
In small VSD, surgical repair is usually not recommended. However, long-term follow-up is required.
3 Comments
Hi, thank you for reply
Doctor suggested monitoring once a 6 months and no restrictions
As for why it wasn't it discovered before he doesn't know, but he thinks that this VSD was probably large and large VSDs do not give very distinctive murmurs? Could large VSD go unnoticed like that?
I try not to panic as my son is fit and active, eats well and never had any serious chest infections (few simple colds only), but being within the normal range, he is still smaller than most of boys his age. Pulmonary pressure/PH thing is not coming out of my head
Doctor suggested monitoring once a 6 months and no restrictions
As for why it wasn't it discovered before he doesn't know, but he thinks that this VSD was probably large and large VSDs do not give very distinctive murmurs? Could large VSD go unnoticed like that?
I try not to panic as my son is fit and active, eats well and never had any serious chest infections (few simple colds only), but being within the normal range, he is still smaller than most of boys his age. Pulmonary pressure/PH thing is not coming out of my head
There really is no need for panic.
A small VSD will not cause PH.
If it had, the echo would have shown the effects of PH after 3,5 years.
Further, if the VSD was large and now small, there still is a good chance that it will close completely.
If your son is smaller than most of his age, I think that is just accidental.
Your doctor is right, monitor 2x/year till the hole is closed and no restrictions are needed.
Enjoy life with your son (especially at this so beautiful and fascinating age of him)
A small VSD will not cause PH.
If it had, the echo would have shown the effects of PH after 3,5 years.
Further, if the VSD was large and now small, there still is a good chance that it will close completely.
If your son is smaller than most of his age, I think that is just accidental.
Your doctor is right, monitor 2x/year till the hole is closed and no restrictions are needed.
Enjoy life with your son (especially at this so beautiful and fascinating age of him)
Thank you for your kind reply Ger57! It's very much appretiated
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