Parent guide

Congenital Heart Disease in Children

Congenital heart disease describes structural heart differences present from birth. Some are detected before birth or soon after delivery, while others are found later through a murmur, growth concern, breathlessness or reduced exercise tolerance. Severity and treatment vary widely.

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A paediatrician listening to a young boy's heart with a stethoscope
Paediatric cardiologyThe specialist who helps.
Common signs

What parents may notice

  • Heart murmur
  • Fast breathing or sweating with feeds
  • Poor weight gain
  • Blue or grey lips
  • Reduced exercise tolerance
  • Recurring chest infections
  • Fainting or palpitations
  • Known abnormal fetal or newborn scan
Possible reasons

What can cause it?

Most congenital heart conditions arise during early heart development and are not caused by anything a parent did. Some occur with genetic syndromes or family history, while many have no identified cause.

When to book

When should your child be assessed?

  • A murmur needs assessment
  • A scan has shown a heart difference
  • Feeding or growth is affected
  • The child has breathlessness, fainting or exercise symptoms
  • Ongoing cardiology follow-up is due
Urgent warning signs

When to seek immediate care

  • Blue lips with breathing difficulty
  • Collapse or loss of consciousness
  • Severe breathlessness
  • A baby unable to feed because of breathing
  • Known heart disease with rapid deterioration
At the specialist visit

How the concern may be evaluated

  • Clinical and oxygen-level assessment
  • Electrocardiogram when indicated
  • Echocardiogram
  • Growth and feeding review
  • Monitoring, medicine, procedure or surgical referral plan
Prepare

What to do before the visit

  • Bring fetal, newborn and prior echo reports
  • List medicines and doses
  • Record feeding or exercise symptoms
  • Bring surgical and discharge summaries
Clinical owner
Relevant Lavender Lane paediatric speciality
Location
Sector 90, Noida
Last updated
August 2026
Questions parents ask

The real questions, answered.

Not what we wish you'd ask. What you're actually thinking when you find this page.

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Does every congenital heart condition need surgery?

No. Some need only monitoring, while others require catheter-based treatment or surgery.

Can a child with heart disease exercise?

Activity advice depends on the specific condition and treatment. The cardiologist can provide an individual plan.

What is an echocardiogram?

It is an ultrasound examination that shows heart structure and blood flow.

Can congenital heart disease affect growth?

Some conditions can affect feeding, energy use and growth, especially in infancy.

Will siblings need screening?

Screening depends on the type of condition and family history.

Persistent symptoms deserve a clear next step.

Speak with Paediatric Cardiology or contact our team to organise the right starting point.

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