Is the open oval window of the baby a cause for concern?

Open oval window in newbornsis an opening in the atrial septum, which has a valve connecting the left and right atriums during the intrauterine life of the child. Normally, this window closes after birth, but sometimes this process is delayed. This circumstance causes parents anxiety and excitement.

Why do we need an open oval window to the fetus?

The fact is that the fetus in the right atriumThe pressure is greater than in the left. This leads to the fact that the discharge of blood occurs from right to left, thus ensuring the flow of blood to the left ventricle. In the event that the window closes in the first trimester, it can provoke the development of a syndrome such as hypoplasia of the left heart.

At later dates, its insufficient diametercan lead to an overload of the right heart, which can lead to serious violations in the development of the fetus, and sometimes to death. Therefore, a wide open oval window serves to provide blood supply to the brachiocephalic region and is necessary for rapid maturation of the brain. Sometimes the presence of the window is confused with the defect of the interatrial septum. However, future parents should understand that the main difference is the presence of a valve that covers the atrium on the left side. Normally, its availability is necessary.

After the child is born and makes the firstcry, his lungs straighten. This leads to a sharp increase in blood flow. At the same time, the pressure in the left atrium increases, which leads to the closure of the oval window. Sometimes, in the absence of pathological processes, the open oval window closes in the period from two months to a year.

This feature is revealed in the processlistening to the heart with a stethoscope, since an open oval window is often the cause of the appearance of noises in the heart. To confirm the diagnosis, the pediatrician can send to the ECG and ultrasound of the heart.

Why does the window sometimes not close?

However, in some cases, its closure inthe specified period does not occur. An open oval window is found in 50 percent of children under the age of five and 10 percent of adults. In this case, it does not interfere with the work of the heart and only rarely requires the intervention of the surgeon. Therefore, the presence of an open window in the baby does not

is cause for excitement.

However, you should not let the situationdrift, you should additionally examine the child, because this fact sometimes accompanies respiratory distress syndrome (lung damage). In some cases, the opening of the hole is not possible with congenital malformation, which was the result of stretching the walls of the atria. The reasons may also be the presence of diseases such as connective dysplasia and alcohol embryopathy.

In addition, the presence of an open oval windowcan cause the development of paradoxical embolism. In this case, emboli (small particles, bacteria, gas bubbles) that occur in the right atrium, can penetrate into the left heart. If they later get into the brain, then very serious consequences can occur, including a stroke. Therefore, it is important to examine the baby in a timely manner, and timely treatment of heart defects will help save his life.