Cardiac repair surgeries in kids may increase their risk of hypertension
One of the common forms of birth defects is congenital heart disease (CHD). Usually, it can be cured successfully with surgical interventions before an infant turns 2. However, a recent study, published in the journal of JAMA Network Open, put a caveat on cardiac repair surgeries in children. The findings of the research suggest that a corrective heart surgery within 10 years after birth may increase a child’s risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) within a few months or years after the procedure.
Findings of the study
This survey, which included thousands of children, was conducted at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The researchers found that children who had undergone cardiac repair surgeries were 13 times more likely to develop hypertension in their adult life, when compared with the general population. For the study, the researchers chose 3,600 children with CHD who had cardiac repair surgeries performed within 10 years of birth. These children were compared with 36,000 others who did not have this birth defect and didn’t have to go through any heart surgery. The majority of CHD patients who had to get a corrective surgery done, were prematurely born males with low birth weight. They were about 5 months old at the time of their first surgery. All the study participants were followed through 13 years.
ANI quoted lead study author Dr. Chirag Parikh, director of the Division of Nephrology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, saying, “We also saw that the more complex the cardiac surgery performed, the higher the risk for developing hypertension,” Parikh said. “In the most extreme case, patients who had surgery to correct a hypoplastic left heart — a severe defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped — were three times more likely to develop hypertension than the congenital heart condition next in severity,” he added.
Other factors multiplying the risk of hypertension
Along with CHD repair surgery, there are other factors that can elevate a child’s future risk of hypertension.
The age of surgery: Newborns needing this procedure are more vulnerable to high blood pressure.
Kidney dialysis: Some children may need this renal procedure during recovery from CHD repair surgery. They are more at risk of hypertension
More cardiac surgeries: Some children may need additional corrective surgeries for their heart after the initial one. This can also increase their chance of getting high blood pressure.
What should parents do?
According to Parikh, infants who have undergone cardiac repair surgery need to be observed closely for hypertension throughout their lives. From a very early stage, their parents should ensure a healthy diet with low salt consumption and lots of fruits and vegetables. Omega 3 fatty acids are also recommended for them. Parents should also encourage their kids to practise moderate exercise on a regular basis. However, a paediatrician needs to be consulted before starting the workout regime and more dietary recommendations.
(With inputs from ANI)