The reason for squatting in Tetralogy of Fallot

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 24, 2024
00:00
00:00

The reason for squatting is that when squatting, the lower limbs are bent, which reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart through the veins, thereby reducing the load on the heart. At the same time, the arteries in the lower limbs are compressed, which increases the resistance in the systemic circulation and reduces the right-to-left shunt volume, allowing temporary relief from hypoxia symptoms. Babies who cannot walk often like to be held by adults in a position that bends the lower limbs to reduce the amount of blood returning to the heart. This frequently occurs during walking and playing, often characterized by brief periods of squatting.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
38sec home-news-image

The reason for squatting in Tetralogy of Fallot

The reason for squatting is that when squatting, the lower limbs are bent, which reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart through the veins, thereby reducing the load on the heart. At the same time, the arteries in the lower limbs are compressed, which increases the resistance in the systemic circulation and reduces the right-to-left shunt volume, allowing temporary relief from hypoxia symptoms. Babies who cannot walk often like to be held by adults in a position that bends the lower limbs to reduce the amount of blood returning to the heart. This frequently occurs during walking and playing, often characterized by brief periods of squatting.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
41sec home-news-image

Tetralogy of Fallot seizure causes

The cause of seizures in Tetralogy of Fallot is episodic hypoxia leading to cerebral hypoxia, which causes seizures, commonly seen in infants. These seizures can be triggered by feeding, crying, emotional excitement, anemia, or infections, manifesting as episodic breathing difficulties. In severe cases, sudden fainting, convulsions, or even death may occur. The underlying cause is the narrowing of the pulmonary artery infundibulum and sudden muscle spasms, which lead to temporary pulmonary artery obstruction, worsening cerebral hypoxia.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
38sec home-news-image

Is Tetralogy of Fallot hereditary?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a common cyanotic congenital heart disease in children, accounting for about ten percent of congenital heart diseases. It primarily consists of four abnormalities: ventricular septal defect, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, overriding aorta, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Congenital heart disease is not a hereditary disease; it is not controlled by genes, mainly due to abnormal development of the heart and blood vessels during fetal development, leading to cardiovascular malformations. Thus, this disease is not hereditary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
44sec home-news-image

Does Tetralogy of Fallot involve chromosomal abnormalities?

Tetralogy of Fallot is primarily a developmental disorder, generally unrelated to chromosomes, with no chromosomal abnormalities. The cause of the disease is still not very clear. If pregnant again and giving birth again, it generally does not recur. Therefore, couples undergoing chromosomal testing before pregnancy is a common practice. It is generally believed that the four malformations in Tetralogy of Fallot occur due to viral infections acquired by the fetus during pregnancy, the mother consuming alcohol, or the use of certain medications during pregnancy. Currently, these are considered related factors, and so far, no abnormalities have been found related to genetics or chromosomes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
48sec home-news-image

Tetralogy of Fallot Clinical Characteristics

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease in infancy, accounting for about 12% of all congenital heart diseases. It is caused by malformations of four heart structures: 1. right ventricular outflow tract obstruction; 2. ventricular septal defect; 3. overriding aorta; 4. right ventricular hypertrophy. Its clinical manifestations may include cyanosis, squatting symptoms, clubbed fingers, and paroxysmal hypoxia attacks. Physical examinations generally show delayed development, a prominent precordial area, and at the second to fourth rib interspace along the left sternal margin, a grade 2 to 3 rough systolic murmur can be heard.