Healthy Heart
Whom should I ask about my child’s progress? Parents should always discuss things with their family doctor in the first instance. Then with the consultant at the hospital before admission in out-patients, and when in the ward they should remember that they have them informed but for any serious question they should ask to speak … Read more
No child in hospital, however young he is, should be allowed to feel abandoned by his family. Mothers in particular should be encouraged to spend as much time as possible with their children while in hospital. During the immediate recovery period this may be difficult and rather frightening the presence of the parents is important … Read more
Parents should tell children what they are going to have done to them, that is to say, they should say, “You are going to have an operation to put your heart right” or “to make your heart better”. They may leave to the hospital doctors more detailed explanation.
The usual out-patient tests are a simple pysical examination (and it is very important that parents and the child should be calm at this, or the doctor will hear nothing through his stethoscope); an electrocardiogram, which is done by attaching wires quite painlessly to arms, legs and chest, while taking a tracing; and X-ray pictures … Read more
Yes, all children should be told about going into hospital and about what is going to happen there; whom they will meet; what will be done for them in general terms; how long they are going to stay; and whether this admission is for tests or for operation, or just for an out-patient’s visit.
Parents who believe that they can keep something like this a secret from their child are wrong. Their child will begin to suspect something is up, and then his imagination may build for him a picture which is worse than the reality.
No, these troubles do not cause backwardness. If a child who is backward has his heart put right, parents must not be led to expect that the backwardness will improve. Severe congenital heart disease may cause children to be inactive and unable to get about and so they may appear rather slow, but this will … Read more
No, they do not; but if anybody has one congenital malformation whether of the heart or any other organ, it is common to find that they have more than one, but many of these do not matter at all.
You should certainly tell your doctor if your child is ill with more than a common cold. In general there are no special precautions necessary for the usual childhood illnesses, but your doctor will know if your child needs particular treatment.
Certainly. All the usual immunisations and vaccinations, including whooping-cough, should be done, and at the usual times. Only if a baby is ill should these be postponed, and given on recovery. It is more important to have children with heart disease immunised than other children.