Will babies with atrial septal defects develop slowly?

Written by Tong Peng

Pediatrics

Updated on February 14, 2025

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Babies with atrial septal defects do not necessarily develop more slowly. An atrial septal defect is one of the congenital heart diseases. If the diameter of the defect is relatively small, it will not affect the normal blood flow of the heart, the oxygen supply to the body, or significantly impact daily activities like sleeping or exercising for the baby. The growth and development of the baby would be normal, with no abnormalities compared to their peers. However, if the diameter of the atrial septal defect is relatively large, typically exceeding 6-8 millimeters, it can cause the baby to experience a lack of oxygen during physical activities, leading to a compromised quality of life and potentially causing delayed development.

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Can someone with atrial septal defect travel by airplane?

Atrial septal defect is a relatively common congenital heart disease in daily life. Many patients with atrial septal defect often ask if they can fly on planes. This depends on the specific condition. If the atrial septal defect is combined with severe cardiac damage, such as heart failure, then flying is definitely not allowed. However, if the atrial septal defect is mild, not severe, without clinical symptoms or cardiac damage, then it is indeed possible to fly. It is recommended for those in this condition to visit a cardiology outpatient clinic at a hospital and ask a doctor to make an assessment.

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What does atrial septal defect mean?

Atrial septal defect is a relatively common type of congenital heart disease encountered clinically. In simple terms, the human heart has four chambers: the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle. Between the left and right atria, there is a structure called the atrial septum, which separates the two atria. If there is a hole in this septum, this condition is referred to as an atrial septal defect. Atrial septal defects are common congenital heart conditions, and when the defect is severe, it often accompanies heart failure and other complications. Under such circumstances, it is crucial to visit a cardiologist for a formal assessment to determine the necessity and approach to treatment.

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How does septal defect shunt?

Atrial septal defect is the most common congenital heart disease in adults, accounting for 20%-30% of all adult congenital heart conditions. The impact of an atrial septal defect on hemodynamics primarily depends on the amount of shunting. Due to higher pressure in the left atrium compared to the right atrium, a left-to-right shunt is formed. The amount of shunting depends on the size of the defect, as well as the compliance of the left and right ventricles and the relative resistance in the systemic and pulmonary circulations. Diseases that affect the compliance of the left ventricle, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, can increase the extent of the left-to-right shunt. A continuous increase in pulmonary blood flow leads to pulmonary congestion, increasing the load on the right heart. Pulmonary vascular compliance decreases, progressing from functional pulmonary arterial hypertension to organic pulmonary arterial hypertension. As right heart system pressure continuously increases and eventually exceeds the pressure in the left heart system, the original left-to-right shunt reverses to become a right-to-left shunt, resulting in cyanosis.

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Cardiology

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Can people with atrial septal defect go to the plateau?

A mild atrial septal defect, such as one smaller than 3mm, allows for a normal life without any impact. In fact, some people only discover this condition during medical exams in their seventies or eighties. Therefore, it is safe for these individuals to travel to high altitudes. However, a larger atrial septal defect often causes symptoms like tightness in the chest, palpitations, and difficulty breathing after hypoxia or intense exercise. These patients have poorer compensatory abilities and are advised against going to high altitudes to avoid high altitude sickness. If such patients need to go to high altitude, it is recommended that they consider surgery before doing so.

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Is atrial septal defect common?

Atrial septal defect accounts for about 20%-30% of all congenital heart diseases and is more common in females. Many cases are mild in children and are not discovered until adulthood. Atrial septal defects can be classified based on anatomical abnormalities into patent foramen ovale, primary atrial septal defect, and secondary atrial septal defect. A patent foramen ovale generally does not cause shunting between the two atria. A primary atrial septal defect is located at the lower part of the atrial septum, is semicircular in shape, and is often larger, frequently associated with malformation of the mitral or tricuspid valves resulting in regurgitation. A secondary atrial septal defect is situated in the middle of the atrial septum at the fossa ovalis or near the superior and inferior vena cava. The symptoms of an atrial septal defect vary with the size of the defect; minor cases may be asymptomatic, while severe cases can result in heart failure.