Pediatric Cardiology Symptoms and Risk Factors

One of the most visible signs of a heart defect is cyanosis, or a blue tint to the skin. This happens when the blood pumping out to the body does not have enough oxygen in it. In a healthy heart, the right side pumps blue (low oxygen) blood to the lungs, and the left side pumps red (high oxygen) blood to the body. Some defects allow the blue and red blood to mix or send blue blood straight out to the body.

Blue Skin (Cyanosis)

This blue color is often best seen in the lips, the tongue, and the nail beds. It might be constant, or it might only happen when the baby cries or exerts themself. Parents might notice the baby looks dusky or grayish. It is important to distinguish this syndrome from “acrocyanosis,” which is normal blue hands and feet in a cold newborn. Central cyanosis (lips and tongue) is never normal.

• The lips, tongue, and gums exhibit a blue or purple tint.
• The skin tone remains dusky and does not improve with warming.
• “Tet spells” are certain defects where the baby turns suddenly blue and irritable.
• Chronic low oxygen can cause “clubbing” (widening) of the fingertips in older kids.

Swelling (Edema)

Swelling is less common in children than in adults, but it can happen. If the right side of the heart is failing, fluid can back up into the body. In babies, such swelling often shows up as puffiness around the eyes or face, rather than the swollen ankles seen in adults. Older children might notice their shoes feel tight or their belly looks swollen.