Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common heart defect in children. The condition causes mixing of oxygen-poor blood with the oxygen-rich blood being pumped out of the heart and into the circulatory system of blood vessels.
- What Is Tetralogy of Fallot?
- What Causes Tetralogy of Fallot?
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot?
- How Is Tetralogy of Fallot Diagnosed?
- How Is Tetralogy of Fallot Treated?
- Living With Tetralogy of Fallot
- Tetralogy of Fallot Key Point
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What Causes Tetralogy of Fallot?
Doctors don't know what causes most cases of tetralogy of Fallot and other congenital heart defects.
Certain conditions or factors that occur during pregnancy may raise your risk for having a child with tetralogy of Fallot. These conditions and factors include:
- German measles (rubella) and some other viral illnesses
- Poor nutrition
- Overuse of alcohol
- Age (being older than 40)
- Diabetes
Heredity may play a role in causing tetralogy of Fallot. An adult who has tetralogy of Fallot may have an increased chance of having a baby with the condition.
Children who have certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome and DiGeorge syndrome, often have congenital heart defects, including tetralogy of Fallot.
Scientists continue to search for the causes of tetralogy of Fallot and other congenital heart defects.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot?
An important sign of tetralogy of Fallot is cyanosis. Cyanosis is a bluish tint to the skin, lips, and fingernails. Low levels of oxygen in the blood cause cyanosis.
Babies who have unrepaired tetralogy of Fallot sometimes have “tet spells" in response to an activity like crying or having a bowel movement.
A tet spell occurs when the oxygen level in the blood suddenly drops. This causes the baby to become very blue. The baby also may:
- Have a hard time breathing
- Become very tired and limp
- Not respond to a parent's voice or touch
- Become very fussy
- Lose consciousness
In years past, when tetralogy of Fallot wasn't treated in infancy, children would get very tired during exercise and could faint. This heart defect is now repaired in infancy to prevent symptoms like this.
Another common sign of tetralogy of Fallot is a heart murmur. A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound that doctors may hear while listening to the heart.
The sound occurs because the heart defect causes abnormal blood flow through the heart. However, not all heart murmurs are signs of congenital heart defects. Many healthy children have heart murmurs.
Normal growth and development depend on a normal workload for the heart and normal flow of oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. Babies who have tetralogy of Fallot may not gain weight or grow as quickly as children who have healthy hearts because they tire easily while feeding.
Children who have tetralogy of Fallot also may have clubbing. Clubbing is the widening or rounding of the skin or bone around the tips of the fingers.