Medical history for congenital heart defects

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Medical history for congenital heart defects

When determining whether your baby has a congenital heart defect, the health professional will ask questions about your baby's medical history and your medical history. These may include the following:

What symptoms does your baby have?
When are symptoms usually present? Symptoms may be present only when your baby is eating or crying.
Has your baby been less active than usual?
How is your baby's appetite? How much does your baby usually eat and drink? Describe a typical feeding. Does he or she have trouble feeding or tire easily while feeding?
Has your baby been urinating less often than usual?
Does your baby's color change when crying? If so, does the color quickly return to normal after crying stops?
What position does he or she seem most comfortable in when resting?
Has your baby ever passed out? If the child is older, has he or she ever complained of the heart beating funny?
Did you have or were you exposed to rubella (German measles) or any other infections during your pregnancy?
Did you take any medicines, use illegal drugs, or drink alcohol during your pregnancy?
Do you have a family history of congenital heart defects?

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Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Larry A. Latson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology
Last Updated	October 25, 2007

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Last updated:	October 25, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Larry A. Latson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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