Final answer:
Cyanotic heart defects cause a characteristic blue discoloration of the skin due to insufficiently oxygenated blood. Among the types are pulmonary infundibular stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, right ventricular hypertrophy, patent foramen ovale, patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, and Tetralogy of Fallot.
These defects are commonly diagnosed using echocardiography and treated with medications, surgery, or other interventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cyanotic heart defects are a group of congenital heart abnormalities that result in cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin due to insufficient oxygenation of the blood. Some of these defects include:
- Pulmonary infundibular stenosis: This involves rigidity of the pulmonary valve.
- Overriding aorta: Where the aorta is positioned above both the right and left ventricles.
- Ventricular septal defect: An abnormal opening in the interventricular septum.
- Right ventricular hypertrophy: Where there is enlargement of the right ventricle.
- Patent foramen ovale: An abnormal opening in the interatrial septum, which usually is due to a failure of the foramen ovale to close after birth.
- Patent ductus arteriosus: The failure of the ductus arteriosus to close after birth.
- Coarctation of the aorta: An abnormal narrowing of the aorta.
This group of defects may lead to a blue baby syndrome where individuals have cyanosis, particularly apparent when active. To confirm these heart defects, echocardiography and other medical imaging techniques are used. Treatment varies based on the severity of the defect and may include medication, surgery, use of stents, or valve replacement.
The most recognized among these is the Tetralogy of Fallot, which is diagnosed by distinct symptoms like a heart murmur, low oxygen saturation, and polycythemia. It occurs in approximately 400 out of one million live births with varying survival rates depending on the age and treatment.