Ear piercing wth heart defect

[Museya15]

My 4 year old has a VSD, I want to get her ears pierced but I've been told this is risky but no doctor has told me this before, has anyone's child had their ears pierced with a heart defect?

You need to ask your child’s medical team.

I googled and this come up. As people have said speak to medical people :)

Why is this even a consideration given your child’s health condition?

She is 4. Does she really need to have her ears pierced?

Why the fuck would you do that?

Putting your child’s health at risk so they look cute is a bad call.

I mean, sure, put your tiny child with a heart defect at increased risk of an infection for the sake of something totally unnecessary. Four year olds are known for their impeccable hygiene, after all.

I do have a friend who has a heart condition from birth and has one set of ear piercings. She had them done when she was older though, had to get special permission and it's the only piercing she'll ever have.

YOU want to pierce her ears, rather than she's asked?? Maybe speak to her consultant.

My daughter was born with a heart defect. We were told this by the consultant in an early appointment with her. She is now 8 and has no piercings. I wouldn't risk getting any for quite a while and will speak to the consultant at an appointment when she is older before we make any decisions. She is aware of all this and wants to ask and understand the risks before she decides if she would get any.
I think 4 is way too young to do it as an infection would be more likely in a 4 year and would be awful if they got endocarditis at that age for earrings.

Is this real?

MN really isn’t the place to ask this

No sensible, loving parent would even consider this!

Surely you jest.

My D niece has a heart defect. She had surgery at 12 and the only question she asked her surgeon was whether she could have her ears pierced after surgery. Consultant explained why it was a serious risk so she accepted it. She is also aware that she could develop endocarditis spontaneously from a minor scratch if she is unlucky.
My FIL died of endocarditis when DH was 3. He had a heart murmur but was fit and healthy, he developed an infection after having a tooth extracted despite being given antibiotics. With the current problems with antibiotic resistance you do need to avoid unnecessary risk of infection.
MN is not the best place to ask advice about heart defects. Please ask your DD’s medical team/cardiologist, they will explain the risks. As soon as your DD is old enough to understand she must also be made aware of the risks.

I just never knew this was a thing, of all the appointments we have had it's never been mentioned, dental/mouth care was mentioned but never ear piercing until I was speaking with a friend a few days ago. No, I will never get her ears pierced now I know this, but I'm scared as I would've done had I not been aware of the risk which I am riddled with guilt. Thanks for the replies.

Have you not read up about the condition?

Yes, we were given leaflets at the start but the consultant told me not to dwell on it so I didn't do massive amounts of research, no.

I'm 41 and have a VSD. This is the first I've heard about piercings!!

My Friend has a hole in her heart and has been told by the cardio specialist under no circumstances is she allowed to have any piercings or tattoos due to the risk of infection

Will the VSD be repaired? I had a very large VSD that was repaired and I still have to be very careful with piercings, any dental treatment and anything that puts me at any risk of infection.

Don't risk it x

That is terrifying what happened to your father in law.

Let her choose whether to pierce her ears when she 18 and an adult.

My dd has recently been moved from GOSH to Barts as she is now 18. In both hospitals her cardiologists have said a no to piercings and Barts advise no tattoos as well.

My mother contracted bacterial endocarditis, she had a BAV.

My daughter (now 2) had VSD surgery as a baby and the only warning I was given was about dental care. I'll be asking the question about piercings in the future after reading your post though! Can you contact your cardiac team to ask?

Yes, you can get your ears pierced just not any other parts of the body because those are more dangerous in getting an infection. Ive had mine sense I was a baby and just no tattoos as well. I also play soccer and it says not to push your heart to hard and you just got to stay consistent with it.