Tetralogy of fallot (tof): symptoms, diagnosis, etc. & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogi of Fallot (TOF) is a birth defect or disorder that interferes with normal blood flow through the heart.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital birth defect characterized by a combination of four heart defects.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) occurs when a baby's heart doesn't form properly during development in the womb.

This birth defect condition affects the shape of the structure of the heart, causing oxygen-deficient blood to flow out of the heart and spread throughout the body.

Whereas normally, blood with oxygen content should be circulated to all parts of the body.

That is why babies and children with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) usually have bluish skin due to the blood all over their bodies not having enough oxygen content.

Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogi of Fallot (TOF) is a birth defect that is generally found in newborns or some time afterwards.

However, there is also Tetralogy of Fallot which is only detected later after the child grows up. This usually depends on the severity of the symptoms of this birth defect.

What are the forms of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

The form of heart defects in infants and children with Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is as follows:

Ventricular septal defect

A condition when the aorta (main artery of the heart) branches from the left ventricle (chamber), which normally only pumps blood from the left ventricle, but the aorta will get a lot of blood from the right ventricle due to a leak in the septum / heart wall.

The blood has mixed with oxygen-less blood from the right ventricle (chamber) and oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle (chamber).

Right ventricular hypertrophy (right ventricular hypertrophy)

Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogy of Fallot is when the heart is working too hard to pump blood.

This causes the muscular wall of the ventricle (chamber) on the right to thicken. Over time, the heart organs can become stiff, weak, and eventually fail to function properly.

How common is this condition?

Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogi of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital birth defect that is rare in newborns.

Diagnosis for infants and children with Tetralogy of Fallot should be made as early as possible. The goal is to accelerate the delivery of treatment in accordance with their health conditions.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

The symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot can vary for each baby and child depending on the flow of blood out of the right ventricle to the lungs.

The most common symptom of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is blue lips, fingernails, toenails, ears, and cheeks. While other symptoms can include shortness of breath, weakness, and fainting.

The various signs and symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are as follows:

• Shortness of breath, shortness of breath, and fast, especially when eating or doing strenuous activities
• Bluish skin color because the blood in the body is low in oxygen (cyanosis)
• Fainting
• The shape of the nails on the fingers and toes is round and abnormal
• It is difficult for children to gain weight
• Children get tired easily while playing and exercising
• Children are irritable and cranky
• Children often cry for a long time
• Have a heart murmur

Sometimes, babies with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) can experience skin, nails, and lips that appear bluish at certain times.

Take for example after the baby cries, breastfeeds, or is feeling restless. This condition is known by the name tet spells .

Tet spells is a condition that usually occurs in babies around the age of 8 weeks or 2 months to 16 weeks or 4 months of age because the oxygen level in the blood decreases rapidly.

While toddlers and older children may reflex to squat when they feel out of breath. Squats can help increase blood flow to the lungs.

Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious when your child experiences one or more of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

When to see a doctor?

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital disorder that can appear at any time, especially in early life.

Call the doctor immediately if the baby and child experience the following symptoms:

• It's hard to breathe
• Fainting
• The child has seizures
• Limp body
• Skin color appears bluish
• Irritability and abnormal fussiness

If you see a baby having the symptoms above or other questions, consult a doctor immediately.

The health condition of each person's body is different, including babies. Always consult a doctor in order to get the best treatment regarding the health condition of your baby.

Cause

What causes Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogi of Fallot (TOF) is a birth defect that begins to form when the fetus is in the womb, to be precise when the heart is developing.

Based on the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cause of heart defects in infants and children related to Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is not certain.

There are babies with this congenital disorder who have disorders of the heart organ due to changes in genes or chromosomes.

However, the cause of heart defects related to Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is thought to be due to a combination of genes.

Risk Factors

What increases the risk of getting Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

The various factors that increase the risk of Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogy of Fallot are as follows:

• Infections during pregnancy, such as the rubella virus (German measles)
• Drinking alcohol while pregnant
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy
• Pregnant at old age, such as over 40 years of age
• Have parents who also experience the Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
• Babies born with congenital abnormalities such as Down syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome

If you want to reduce the risk factors that you and your baby may have, consult your doctor immediately.

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?

Launching from the Mayo Clinic page, doctors can diagnose the possibility of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) if the baby sees the baby's skin is blue at birth.

Heart murmurs or abnormal hissing sounds from the heart can also be seen when a newborn is a sign that he is experiencing Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

The doctor can then perform a physical examination of the newborn to get a diagnosis.

These tests can include echocardiography, electrocardiogram, measurement of oxygen levels (pulse oximetry), cardiac catheterization, and X-rays or x-rays of children.

What are the treatment options for Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

Treatment for infants and children with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is as follows:

Intracardiac repair

This type of surgery is usually performed in the first year after the baby is born. In this procedure, the surgeon will patch the ventricular septal opening to close the vent between the two ventricles.

The doctor will also correct the stenosis of the pulmonary valve and pulmonary artery to slowly open up to increase blood flow to the lungs.

This method can help make the thickness of the right ventricle wall return to normal because you no longer need to work hard to pump blood.

After the repair of the heart, the oxygen level in the blood will increase and reduce the symptoms.

Temporary Operation

Children sometimes need temporary surgery before their heart is repaired. If the child is born prematurely or with a hypoplastic pulmonary artery, the doctor will create a shunt between the aorta and pulmonary artery.

This method will increase blood flow to the lungs. When the child is ready for heart surgery, the shunt can be removed.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat this condition?

Various lifestyle and home remedies that can help treat Tetralogy of Fallot or Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are as follows:

• Children with severe heart defects may need prophylatic antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection.
• Maintaining oral hygiene by regularly taking care of your teeth is a great way to help prevent infection
• Exercise habits also need to be considered. Ask the doctor about activities that are safe for your child.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.