Final answer:
A common finding in a child with total anomalous pulmonary venous return defect is cyanosis. Symptoms such as dyspnea, heart murmurs, and poor growth are also indicative of congenital heart defects and can be confirmed through medical imaging like echocardiography.
Step-by-step explanation:
A common finding when gathering data from a child with a total anomalous pulmonary venous return defect is cyanosis, or a blue or purple coloration of the skin, especially when active. This condition indicates an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood. Although not explicitly mentioned in the reference material, total anomalous pulmonary venous return is another form of congenital heart defect involving abnormal blood flow, akin to the symptoms described for Tetralogy of Fallot and patent ductus arteriosus. Cyanosis is also a common presentation in other septal defects like the Tetralogy of Fallot due to mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, leading to a lower level of oxygen in the systemic circulation.
Other findings similar to other congenital heart defects may include heart murmurs detectable through auscultation, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and poor growth or feeding difficulties in the child. These symptoms often necessitate medical imaging, such as echocardiography, for a conclusive diagnosis, which could show abnormal connections of the pulmonary veins and confirm the presence of the defect.