Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a heart disease which is inborn, because it occurs when a baby still in the womb. At the end of the seventh week of pregnancy, heart formation is complete; so the formation of cardiac abnormalities occur in early pregnancy. Causes of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) often can not be explained, although several factors are considered as a potential cause (Rahayoe, 2006).
Congenital heart defects is heart defects or malformations that appear at birth, in addition to congenital heart disease is a disorder of the heart anatomy brought from conception to birth. Most congenital heart defects include structural malformations in the heart and major blood vessels, both the left and that leads to the heart (Nelson, 2000). This disorder is the most common congenital abnormalities in children, about 8-10 of 1,000 live births.
This congenital heart defect does not always give symptoms shortly after birth, it is not uncommon these disorders has been discovered after a few months old, or even found after a few years old. This disorder can be mild so as not detected at birth. However, in particular children, the effects of this disorder is so severe that a diagnosis was enforceable even before birth. With the sophistication of medical technology in the field of diagnosis and treatment, many children with congenital heart defects can be remedied and well into adulthood (Ngustiyah, 2005).
The cause of congenital heart disease can not be known with certainty, but there are several factors that have an influence on the expected increase in the incidence of CHD.
These factors are:
1. Prenatal factors:
- Mothers suffering from infectious diseases: rubella.
- Maternal alcoholism.
- Maternal age over 40 years.
- Peyakit mother suffering from diabetes mellitus who require insulin.
- Mothers taking sedative drugs or herbs.
- Children born before suffering from CHD.
- Father / mother suffering from congenital diseases.
- Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality example.
- Born with congenital abnormalities others.
Nursing Care Plan for Congenital Heart Disease
Assessment
- Physical assessment (color, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, chest auscultation).
- Family history.
- Pregnancy history.
- Assessment manifestations of congenital heart disease.
- Collagen tissue abnormalities.
- Complications or consequences of hypoxemia.
- Construction of a weak body.
- Dyspnea on activity.
- Fatigue.
Nursing Diagnosis for Congenital Heart Disease
- Risk for decreased cardiac output r / t defect structure.
- Altered Growth and Development r / t inadequate oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
- Risk for infection r / t weak physical status.
- Altered family processes r / t have children with heart disease.
- Risk for injury (complications) r / t cardiac conditions and therapies.
Intervention
- Check the blood, red blood cell indices.
- Assess the arterial blood gas analysis.
- Test oxygen.
- Give afterload lowering medications as instructed.
- Give diuretic as instructed.
- Provide frequent rest periods and sleep periods without interruption.
- Encourage quiet activities.
- Give a diet high in nutrients, which is balanced to achieve adequate growth.
- Monitor height and weight.
- Encourage the family to participate in the care process.
- Teach families to recognize the signs of complications.
Expected Results
- Heart rate, BP and peripheral perfusion are the age-appropriate upper limit of normal.
- Exit adequate urine (between 0.5 and 2ml / kg, depending on age).
- Children achieve adequate growth.
- Families can confront the child with positive symptoms.
- Families recognize the signs of complications and take appropriate action.
