Final answer:
Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex congenital heart defect that can lead to severe symptoms such as cyanosis and breathing difficulties. Parents must closely monitor and report signs of worsening, like fatigue during crying, to their healthcare provider. Early management and surgical repair are crucial for improving the chances of survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect with characteristic symptoms including a distinct heart murmur, low blood oxygen saturation, and cyanosis, particularly following activity. The condition involves four defects, hence the term 'tetralogy': pulmonary infundibular stenosis, overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy. These defects can lead to the mixing of oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood.
Parents of infants with this condition need to be vigilant for symptoms that indicate worsening of the condition such as fatigue, difficulty in breathing, or a blue coloration of the skin. Early identification and management of these symptoms are crucial and they are often managed until corrective surgical repair can be performed. This surgery may include the use of stents to redirect blood flow, or replacement of valves and patches to repair the septal defect. Survival rates vary by age and are dependent on successful management and surgical interventions.