Pulmonary Stenosis in Children
What is pulmonary stenosis in children?
Pulmonary stenosis is a birth defect of the heart (congenital). It can happen when
the pulmonary valve doesn’t grow as it should in a baby during the first 8 weeks of
pregnancy. The pulmonary valve connects the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
It normally has 3 flaps (leaflets) that work like a 1-way door. This means they allow
blood to flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, but not backward from
the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle.
With pulmonary stenosis, it is harder for the flaps to open and the blood to flow
as it should. The flaps may be stuck together. Or the flaps may be thick and not able
to open all the way. In some cases, the valve may be narrowed. In some cases, the
stenosis may not be related to a problem with the valve leaflets but with the area
directly below and above the valve.
Pulmonary stenosis varies according to how much of the blood flow is blocked. A child
with severe pulmonary stenosis is likely to be quite ill and have clear symptoms.
A child with mild pulmonary stenosis may have few or no symptoms. They may get symptoms
later in life. The blockage and symptoms can get worse over time. It is uncommon for
this condition to be found during pregnancy.
Pulmonary stenosis often occurs as part of other complex congenital heart defects.
What causes pulmonary stenosis in a child?
Pulmonary stenosis occurs when the pulmonary valve doesn’t grow as it should or the
area below or above the valve doesn't grow fully in a baby during the first 8 weeks
of pregnancy. Why this happens isn't known.
Some congenital heart defects are passed down through families (genetic defects).
What are the symptoms of pulmonary stenosis in a child?
Some children with pulmonary stenosis do not have symptoms. The more severe the stenosis,
the more likely the child is to have symptoms. The most common symptoms may include:
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Hard or fast breathing
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Bluish color around the lips or fingers that mean low oxygen levels (cyanosis)
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Shortness of breath
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Feeling tired, especially with activity or exercise
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Fast heart rate
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Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, face, or belly (abdomen)
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Fainting
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Chest pain
The symptoms of pulmonary stenosis can be like other health conditions. Make sure
your child sees a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How is pulmonary stenosis diagnosed in a child?
The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. They
will give your child a physical exam. The provider will listen to your child's heart
and lungs with a stethoscope. The provider may hear an abnormal heart sound (heart
murmur). They may also find other signs or symptoms. The provider may refer your child
to a pediatric cardiologist. This is a doctor with special training to treat heart
problems in children.
The cardiologist will also examine your child. They will carefully listen for a heart
murmur. The details about the heart murmur will help with the diagnosis. Your child
may have tests, such as:
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Echocardiogram (echo). An echo uses sound waves (ultrasound) to make a moving picture of the heart and heart
valves. This test is most helpful in diagnosing pulmonary stenosis.
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Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray may show changes of the heart or pulmonary artery.
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Electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart. It shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias),
and finds heart muscle stress. Although the ECG is often normal, it may show abnormalities
that are found with pulmonary stenosis.
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Cardiac catheterization. Your child is given medicine to help them relax. The healthcare provider puts a thin,
flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in the groin. They move it to the heart.
The heart is checked by measuring blood pressure and oxygen in the 4 chambers of the
heart. The pulmonary artery and aorta are also checked. Contrast dye is also injected
to let the provider more clearly see the structures inside the heart. Your child may
not need this test if the diagnosis can be made with an echocardiogram.
How is pulmonary stenosis treated in a child?
Mild pulmonary stenosis often does not need treatment. Moderate or severe stenosis
needs repair.
Some infants will be very sick and need care in the intensive care unit (ICU) before
the defect can be fixed. Some infants may need an emergency repair if the stenosis
is very severe. Prostaglandins, a medicine that keeps the ductus arteriosus open,
will be given so that enough blood flows in the lungs. Once the child is stabilized,
a procedure will be done to repair the valve. A child with less severe stenosis will
have the repair scheduled.
Repair choices include:
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Balloon dilation or valvuloplasty. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is put into the heart. The catheter has a balloon
on the tip. When the catheter reaches the narrowed valve or area, the provider inflates
the balloon for a short time to stretch it open. Children who have had balloon dilation may
need to take antibiotics to prevent heart infection after being discharged from the
hospital.
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Valvotomy. This is surgery to remove scar tissue from the pulmonary valve leaflets. This lets
the valve open as it should.
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Valvectomy. This is surgery to remove the valve. Often a patch is used to help the blood flow
from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary valve may need to
be replaced when the child is an adult.
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Patch enlargement. Patches are used to enlarge narrowed areas. They may be added to the right ventricle
or the pulmonary artery.
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Pulmonary valve replacement. Some children may need to have the pulmonary valve replaced. A tissue valve (pig or
human) may be used. Children who have had valve replacement will need to take antibiotics
before medical and dental procedures in the future.
What are possible complications of pulmonary stenosis in a child?
If not treated, moderate to severe pulmonary stenosis can cause complications. The
right ventricle has to work harder to try to move blood through the pulmonary valve
or narrowed area. In time, the right ventricle becomes enlarged and is no longer able
to handle the extra work. It fails to pump well (heart failure). Another complication
can be an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
How can I help my child live with pulmonary stenosis?
The outlook for children with pulmonary stenosis is usually excellent. For a period
of time, your child's cardiologist may advise that your child take antibiotics to
prevent infection of the heart lining and valves (bacterial endocarditis). Your child
may need to take them before medical and dental procedures.
In some cases, a child may need to have procedures done again over time to stretch
the valve open. Your child may need a pulmonary valve replacement as a teen or young
adult to prevent complications.
Your child will need regular follow-up care at a congenital cardiac care center during
their life.
Check with your child's cardiologist about your child's outlook.
When should I call my child's healthcare provider?
Call your child’s healthcare provider if they have symptoms such as:
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Breathing problems
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Fast heartbeat
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Feeling tired
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Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, face, or belly (abdomen)
Key points about pulmonary stenosis in children
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Pulmonary stenosis makes it hard for the blood to flow from the right ventricle to
the lungs.
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Pulmonary stenosis can occur by itself or with other congenital heart defects.
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A child with pulmonary stenosis may not have any symptoms. The condition may be found
when a healthcare provider hears a heart murmur.
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If symptoms occur, they include breathing problems, cyanosis, fast heart rate, feeling
tired, and swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, face, or belly.
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Mild pulmonary stenosis may not need repair. Repair may be needed if the stenosis
is moderate to severe.
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The outlook for children with pulmonary stenosis is most often excellent.
Next steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
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Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
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Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
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At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments,
or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
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Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child.
Also know what the side effects are.
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Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
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Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
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Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
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If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose
for that visit.
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Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important
if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.