Told DS (2) has a hole in his heart today

[tex111]

Took DS in for an echocardiogram to check for a possible inherited heart condition (mitral valve prolapse). He doesn't have a problem with his valves but the doctor did find a small hole between the upper chambers of his heart. She said it might close up in time or he might need an operation to close it. We've been referred to a specialist.

Has anyone else had experience of this? It's called ASP.

[Heathcliffscathy]

oh god tex i'm so sorry. i'm sure that there will be someone with experience on this. I've missed seeing you around. You must be feeling pretty shellshocked...

[marbeth]

Hi tex111

I think you may mean ASD.This stands for atrial septal defect.Some will close on their own whereas others will need surgery.Hopefully when you see the specialist they will give you more details.Hope you get your appointment soon as am sure it must have been a shock.

[potty1]

Hi Tex - no experience of ASD but dd has other heart problems, so know that you are a bit (?) worried right now. There's a supportive message board at www.heartline.org.uk, where you'll find some mums whose little ones have them.

Which hospital are you being referred to? We go to Birmingham Children's.

[Aero]

Hi Tex111. My ds had a VSD (ventricular septal defect) and we were informed the same thing. I'm not sure if it is similar, but he is now a very healthy 7yo and was discharged last year as the hole had more or less closed over. It was picked up much earlier though at his 8 week check. Had you noticed any problems before taking him to be tested?

[tex111]

Yes, it is ASD. I keep getting it wrong.

Potty1, we're at the Princess Royal in Farnborough at the moment. I don't know if we'd be referred somewhere else if an op is needed. They have a children's cardiology clinic every month and we'll be a part of that in July. Thank you for the heartline info. I found their website when I was looking for info on the condition but I missed the message boards. Will definitely check them out.

Aero, I didn't think that DS had had any symptoms but now looking back I do wonder. He's always been quite tall (91st percentile) but for a period of time his weight dropped down to 50th percentile. He also had a very large stomach as a baby and toddler which I've read can be a symptom. I had no idea about this at the time. I'm so pleased to hear that your son is doing well.

I'm sure my DS will be fine too but it was quite a shock. I had prepared myself for the possibility of one condition, learned all about it, and then it was something else totally unexpected.

Thank you for your information and feedback. Feeling a bit calmer after a night's sleep but I'm definitely going to educate myself on this condition.

[jasper]

My daughter has this . She is four and will def need surgery to close the defect , which will be carried out next summer.
She may be able to get non invasive surgery via a leg vein if various favourable conditions apply. Otherwise she will have open heart surgery.
It was a bit of a shock when we first heard but I am not concerned now and have total faith in the surgeons. It is a VERY successful and predictable operation.

[Lucymoo]

Hi,my ds of 14months has a VSD,which was picked up at birth.We've got an appointment in September at Birmingham Childrens.We've been told not to worry too much and ds seems as fit as a fiddle,it is hard not to worry though!