As part of the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, MedStar Georgetown offers expert cardiologists who are committed to providing a variety of diagnostic and treatment options—all within a trusting and compassionate environment.
Pediatric cardiac disorders that we assess and treat:
- Cardiac dysfunction
- Arrhythmias
- Inflammatory heart disorders such as Kawasaki syndrome, myocarditis, endocarditis, and pericarditis
- Complications of systemic diseases such as chemotherapy, liver disease, and autoimmune disease
Outpatient evaluations for the following:
- Heart murmurs
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Palpitations
- Family history of hereditary cardiac disorders
- Fetal cardiac issues, such as suspected congenital defects, arrhythmias, or cardiac effects of other intrauterine disorders
Congenital heart defects
Congenital heart disease is a term that describes a number of different conditions caused by abnormal or disordered heart development before birth. Although congenital heart disease, by definition, is present at birth, its effects may not be obvious nor may present for many years.
A congenital heart defect most often occurs as an isolated incidence and is generally not associated with other diseases, there are a few genetic and chromosomal syndromes that can also cause heart defects, including:
- Down syndrome
- Ellis-van Creveld syndrome
- Marfan syndrome
- Noonan syndrome
- Trisomy 13
- Turner's syndrome
Drugs, chemicals, and infections during pregnancy may also cause congenital heart abnormalities. In infants, fetal rubella, maternal alcohol use (fetal alcohol syndrome), and use of retinoic acid (for acne), may also cause congenital heart disease. In addition, if a pregnant woman has congenital heart disease, she should notify her doctor so her fetus may be checked during the pregnancy.
Treatment
Surgical treatments are tailored to correct the specific congenital abnormality. The most common include closing a patent foramen ovale and/or an atrial septal defect (ASD).
Our providers
Expert pediatric care
Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our pediatricians.
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.