When to see a pediatric cardiologist for a newborn baby?

Hello,

If you are looking for a hospital where you can have your delivery and also get a heart specialist for the newborn baby, it is important to choose a hospital with both maternity services and paediatric/neonatal cardiology support.

A paediatric cardiologist specialises in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in newborns, infants and children. They can evaluate congenital heart defects, heart murmurs, abnormal heart rhythms and other heart-related concerns. HexaHealth has paediatric cardiology specialists available in its network. 

When Does a Newborn Need a Paediatric Cardiologist?

A baby may need evaluation by a paediatric cardiologist if there is :

• Abnormal heart sound or heart murmur

• Difficulty breathing

• Bluish lips or skin

• Poor feeding

• Excessive sweating while feeding

• Poor weight gain

• Fast breathing or heartbeat

• Abnormality detected during pregnancy

• Abnormal fetal echocardiography

• Suspected congenital heart defect

A paediatric cardiologist may recommend an echocardiogram or other tests depending on the baby's symptoms. Paediatric cardiac departments can provide evaluation and treatment for congenital heart conditions from the fetal and neonatal period onward.

If Delivery Has Not Happened Yet

If the baby is still in the mother's womb and a heart problem has been detected during pregnancy, you need a hospital with :

• Obstetrics and gynaecology

• High-risk pregnancy care

• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

• Paediatrician/neonatologist

• Paediatric cardiologist

• Fetal echocardiography facility

• Paediatric cardiac surgery support, if required

A paediatric/fetal cardiologist can evaluate the baby's heart before delivery and help the obstetrician and neonatal team plan care after birth.

What Should You Do Now?

If your delivery is approaching, do not wait until labour starts to search for a suitable facility if the baby has a suspected heart problem. Share your pregnancy reports, ultrasound, fetal echocardiography and doctor's advice with the hospital before admission.

If the baby has already been born and is having breathing difficulty, bluish discoloration, poor feeding, extreme sleepiness or other concerning symptoms, seek immediate neonatal medical care.

How HexaHealth Can Help

HexaHealth can help you identify a suitable maternity hospital and paediatric cardiologist, coordinate consultations and assist with hospital admission and treatment planning. HexaHealth's network includes paediatrics, paediatric surgery, cardiology and related specialties

Please share your city and state, whether the delivery is yet to happen or the baby has already been born, and whether any heart problem has been detected in the baby. We can then guide you toward the appropriate specialist and hospital.

Wishing you and your family good health always.
Warm regards,
Team HexaHealth