Pediatric Cardiology

Pediatric cardiology is the field of medicine that deals with heart defects and heart disease in children. In most cases it relates to congenital heart defects or CHDs, which are defects present in the child’s heart from the time he or she is born or even in the womb. It includes all forms of heart defects like heartbeat related complications, structural and functional irregularities. However, sometimes an illness can affect the heart as well.

At Winthrop Pediatric Associates, our pediatric cardiology department is comprised of a team of trained, skilled and experienced pediatric cardiologists. Apart from treating and resolving a number of issues faced by our young patients, we also have a Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Lab, which has been developed to help find the root causes of chest pains, arrhythmias and also to determine what type of therapy will be best suited. Some of the specific areas in which we have expertise in are:

Identifying Pediatric Cardiology Disorders

While our pediatric cardiologists specialize in congenital heart defects, they also treat a number of other disorders that can develop over time. Congenital heart defects may be identified when a child is born during the newborn screening. Some heart problems resolve over time and do not require any treatment while others require extensive care and attention.

Some of the common symptoms of cardiac disorders in children are heart murmurs, irregular heartbeats, breathlessness, recurrent and chronic chest pain, syncope, and fatigue. If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, discuss the symptoms with your pediatrician, or call to make an appointment with us. Through our series of non-invasive tests, we strive to diagnose the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Children with known conditions like arrhythmias and heart murmurs related to structural defects should also be tested to determine the status of their condition.

Why do Pediatric Cardiology Disorders Occur

It is not really clear what causes congenital heart defects in newborn babies. The development of the heart is a complex and intricate process. Large amounts of research have been conducted into this field, but it is still not entirely clear why certain babies develop this condition. Some research suggests that it is linked to specific gene defects while acquired heart disease could be the result of toxic medication and other issues.

Fetal echocardiography involves ultrasound imaging of the fetal heart prior to birth. Structural abnormalities as well as rhythm disturbances can be identified. Some rhythm disorders require treatment with medication administered to the mother to treat the unborn child. Structural abnormalities are identified and the pregnancy managed for optimal birth outcome.

Treating Pediatric Cardiology Disorders

Many of the disorders seen in young children resolve on their own and don’t need any treatment. However, in some other cases, where the disorder is more serious, the relationship with the doctor may continue well into adolescence and adulthood. Treatment plans include a variety of options including administering medication, surgery and cardiac catheterization.

Our End-to-End Solutions for Your Child

At Winthrop Pediatric Associates we fully understand how traumatic it is to care for a child suffering from a heart defect or disease. Our team is well versed in treating all types of heart disorders and operate a fully accredited pediatric and fetal echocardiography facility, so you can be sure that the diagnoses and treatment plan will be the most appropriate to resolve your child’s condition.

Contact Winthrop Pediatric Associates today to make an appointment.

Winthrop Pediatric Associates proudly serves Nassau & Suffolk counties in Long Island, New York, and the entire NY-Metropolitan area.