18 month old with VSD (ventricular septal defect)

irish4jan1

Our 18 month old son was diagnosed with VSD (ventricular septal defect) just after he was born. The holes are medium size and in the lower muscular part of his heart. He is a very healthy toddler, is meeting all the growth milestones for his age and has never had complications due to the VSD. We have been monitoring him every three months with a pediatric cardiologist and all our appointments have been uneventful, yet the holes still remain, (they have not closed yet). Come Jan., when he is two we will do an ECO to see if an MRI is necessary. His Dr. says that surgery could be necessary if the MRI shows there is a significant amount of blood flow.
I am reaching out for support and information from others who have experienced or are experiencing this currently with a child. What has it been like for you? What does your child's doctor say? Has your child undergone surgery for VSD? I'm curious to hear how you are coping.
Thanks!

cedenton

I'm of no help, but I hope everything works out for your child. Perhaps check the special needs board. Also, I'm sure if you google you'll probably find some message boards specific for his condition. I know that someone on my BMB @amaite has a child with a heart problem, but I don't think it's the exact same one as your son. Good luck!

singingirl96

Hello.  I'm sorry your son has a heart defect.  Mine does too.  My son had 2 vsd as well as a large ASD and a hole in between his two ventricular valves making them one common valve.  He had OHS on March 1st at 7 months of age.

The good news about VSDs is that there is a possibility that they may close on their own.  It is possible that your son's won't close and they'll have to operate, but if he's hitting all his milestones and is growing well, the holes arent that big or they would have already repaired it.

There is a heart board on babycenter.  here is the link https://community.babycenter.com/groups/a5055/babies_and_children_with_heart_problems you should reach out there. There are many other vsd moms there.

Surgery is scary.  It was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through.  BUT, without it, the outcome is worse. So, if need be, you'll get through it.  The prognosis with VSDs is great.  Success rates are upwards of 100%... it is a routine procedure.  Yes, it is OHS. Yes, it is very serious... BUT  as far as heart defects are concerned, it is a minor one. 

Hope to see you there.    Have a great day.

irish4jan1

Thank you both so much for this! I am just reaching out for support for the first time and this is a great place to start! Really appreciate it. Best you and yours!

fanofanne

I'm sorry that I don't have any advice, but I actually had open heart surgery when I was a toddler. It went perfectly and I was very active as a child and participated in competitive sports. I just had my heart checked recently and the dr said if he hadn't known about the surgery he wouldn't have been able to tell I had a hole in my heart. As pp said. The success rate is incredible. I will pray for you and your lo and hope this helps in a little way