involuntarily eye quiver/rapid eye movement

[Teresadawn]

Can an enlarged heart in my 8 month old son cause his eye to involuntarily quiver?


At Tristan's 6 month check up his Pediatrician still noticed a mummer and sent him to the cardiologist.  His electrocardiogram alarmed the physician to do an ultrasound.  This showed an enlarged heart.  Left ventricle and aorta are some of the notes the doc wrote on his diagram of the the heart.  Tristan also had two holes and an extra small valve, "nothing to worry about with those, he should grow out of them by age 3" the PC said.  But with regards to Tristan's heart being enlarged, he has lessened his fluid intake and he wants to check him again in January, a whole 4 months away!!  I am unclear about what the PC wrote and although he explained how the heart was not functioning up to par, I am still clueless and very concerned that my baby has a heart that's not functioning properly.
Tristan is and always has been big.  When he was born he was put in the hospital for light therapy and his weight suffered but once we got him healthy he began gaining and growing like crazy!  He turned 8 months on the 12th of August and weighed in at 22lbs. He is also tall for his age.  He has had a cough since birth but never any colds.  With this in mind and given our family history, my husband has a cousin with a pig valve and my mother has had a stroke and hypertension. The PC wants to rule out any disease and is hopeful that Tristan just has a big heart because he is so big.  But the wait til January is proving to be excruciating.  To make matters worse, his cough has become more frequent and I've noticed his left eyeball moving rapidly but just for a second and this happens throughout the day; I'd say about 10 times at least per hour.  Needless to say, I am fearful of the unknown but prayerful that he is okay.  Should I get a second opinion so that my wait is not so long, should I be concerned that this could get worse before January gets here?
Thank you,
Teresadawn

[Cleveland Clinic]

Second opinions are always good.  If you can get another pediatric cardiologist to agree on the condition and the prognosis that would be a bid deal.  The fact that your son is growing is very encouraging because most kids with heart contidions have problems with that.  The cough is concerning and may be a sign of some heart problem but it is not specific and should be worked up.  He could be developing asthma so attributing it to the heart just b/c it's big wouldn't be appropriate without having more information.  I wouldn't ignore any of this and have it carefully worked up.  I am not sure about the eye movement.  I have not heard this before but it doesn't mean it couldn't happen. I would recommend seeing a neurologist about that.  

[Teresadawn]

UPDATE ON TRISTAN'S HEART...
At Tristan's 6 month check up his Pediatrician still noticed a mummer and sent him to the cardiologist.  His electrocardiogram alarmed the physician to do an ultrasound.  This showed an enlarged heart.  His Left Ventria & Left alvyal were enlarged.  Tristan also had a Patent Froamen Ovale, a hole between the atria, the top chambers of the heart.  And a Collagteral Aorta Pulmonary, both of these cause mixing of the oxygenated and deoxgenated blood which causes lower oxygenated blood to the be delivered to the vital organs.  However, Tristan's were very minor so,  "nothing to worry about with those, he should grow out of them by age 3" the PC said.  But with regards to Tristan's heart being enlarged, he has lessened his fluid intake and he wants to check him again in January.

I spoke to the PC's RN and his regular Pediatrician this past Friday about my concerns and was told not to worry that these new symptoms were not related to his heart.  Two hours later, Tristan passed out right in front of me.  I thought it was a seizure cos' while we were rolling a ball to each other his head tilted back and his little body followed.  I waited for his cry,he did not.  I spoke to him, rubbed his little belly and nothing moved.  His eyes were open the whole time but fixed.  Right before I lost it and about the 10th "Tristan" his eyes twitched then he made eye contact w/ me and smiled briefly before crying.
Needless to say I called the Pedi and the PC back. The PC answered and his RN told me to meet the doc @ the hospital.  I was told here that
Tristan had fainted probably due to his heart.  They did some blood work and chest ex ray, wired him up to a heart monitor and the PC saw Tristan the following afternoon.  His levels were all good throughout the night while he slept but every now and then the bells would go off when he missed a beat or the oxygen levels would drop below 80 but so far no more syncope. As much as I tried to get some sleep it was impossible when all I wanted to do was watch him breathe!Fast forward to Monday morning...we are home, yeah!!  no more episodes.  His ex rays didn't show any changes, so now we are again in a holding pattern.  but instead of January the doc will see Tristan again in November.  He is conferring with a neurologist about Tristan's other symptoms.  For now we have instructions as to what to do if he faints again... The PC even said that he doesn't think this was related to his heart at all, it could be an infant fainting syndrome.  The PC further went on to state that if Tristan has Cardiomyopathy, which we will know hopefully by his November apt.; that this will be a very mild case and controllable with medication.   After all the excitement, the PC was extremely thoughtful and explained everything to a point that I am now comfortable with the fact that Tristan will be fine.  I will keep all of you informed if there are any changes and hopefully post one last time in November to report good news.