The double aortic arch in a child

Double Aortic Arch—Child

What is a double aortic arch in a child?

Double aortic arch – one of the types of defects of the heart vessels. In a healthy heart receives blood from the body into the right atrium, then enters the right ventricle. Further, the blood goes to the lungs through the pulmonary valve, where oxygenated. Then the blood is returned to the left atrium and into the left ventricle, then through the aorta is spread throughout the body.

A double aortic arch, it divides into right and left sides. Aortic vascular bifurcation forming a ring and can cause compression of the airways and / or esophagus.

The causes of the double aortic arch

The double aortic arch in a child is a congenital. It means, that the anomaly is developed, when the baby is in the womb, and the child is born with the disease. It is still unknown, the reasons why some babies anomalies occur with the development of heart.

Risk factors for a double aortic arch

Risk factors, affecting the appearance of a double aortic arch are not yet known.

Symptoms of a double aortic arch in a child

Symptoms of a double aortic arch may include:

• Labored breathing;
• Pulmonary infections;
• Poor appetite, including vomiting and suffocation;
• Swallowing problems, including asthma;
• Vomiting;
• Heartburn.

Diagnosis of double aortic arch

In most cases, the disease is detected in infancy, he often found it later.

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history of the child and will perform a physical examination. Maybe, Taking pictures and require examination of the structure of the internal organs. For this purpose, applied:

• Echocardiogram;
• CT scan;
• MRT;
• Chest X-ray;
• The study of the upper gastrointestinal tract;
• Bronchoscopy.

For the study of the heart ECG appointed.

Treatment of double aortic arch in a child

Treatments include a double aortic arch:

The operation to treat double aortic arch

If a child has symptoms, adversely affecting the health, such as shortness of breath, the operation will be carried out. The goal of surgery is to close or separation of one of the arcs. Then just go after some time must come improved.

Monitoring the condition of the child

The child must undergo regular checkups by a cardiologist – a specialist in heart disease.

Prevention of double aortic arch in a child

At the moment, there is no way prevent double aortic arch in a child. Despite this, it is important to receive appropriate prenatal care.