Tetralogy of Fallot

The babys skin, lips, fingernails, or toenails look blueA routine test called "pulse oximetry " пїЅ shows the baby does not have enough oxygen in his or her blood " пїЅ This test measures oxygen in the blood with a small device that goes on a finger.When the baby or child is older, if:- The baby's skin looks blue - The baby has "tet spells " пїЅ " пїЅ These are times when a baby looks blue, breathes faster than normal, and acts fussy or upset. Tet spells usually happen when a baby is active, such as during crying or feeding. - The baby has a heart murmur

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The baby's skin looks blue
The baby has "tet spells " пїЅ " пїЅ These are times when a baby looks blue, breathes faster than normal, and acts fussy or upset. Tet spells usually happen when a baby is active, such as during crying or feeding.
The baby has a heart murmur

Should my child see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ If your child's skin, lips, or fingernails or toenails look blue, tell your doctor or nurse. This is very important if the blue color gets worse when your baby is crying or feeding. пїЅ пїЅ

Will my child need tests? " пїЅ Yes. If the doctor or nurse thinks your baby or child has TOF, he or she will order tests. These include: пїЅ пїЅ

An echocardiogram " пїЅ This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart as it beats. It can show if a child has TOF or another heart problem.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) " пїЅ This test measures the electrical activity in the heart. It can show any abnormal activity from TOF.
A chest X-ray " пїЅ A chest X-ray can show changes in the shape of the heart from TOF.
Cardiac catheterization " пїЅ Cardiac (heart) catheterization is also called cardiac "cath. " пїЅ Another name is "coronary angiography. " пїЅ In this test, the doctor puts a thin tube in a blood vessel in the leg or arm. He or she threads the tube up to the heart. Then, the doctor puts a dye into the tube that shows up on an X-ray. The dye shows the changes caused by TOF.

How is TOF treated? " пїЅ Almost all children with TOF need surgery to fix the heart problems. Doctors usually do surgery before a baby is 1 year old. пїЅ пїЅ

Even if your child does not have symptoms, he or she needs surgery. This is because TOF can cause problems if the heart is not fixed. пїЅ пїЅ

Doctors do not find TOF in some people until they are adults. Adults who have TOF also need surgery. пїЅ пїЅ

What will my child's life be like? " пїЅ Many children who have surgery for TOF can live normal lives. But they still have a risk of heart problems and other health problems later. For example, some children who had surgery for TOF can have problems learning or growing normally. They need regular checkups and tests to make sure the heart is working correctly and to help with any other problems. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83995 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Tetralogy of Fallot

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