The open oval window of the baby is cause for concern?

An open oval window in newborns is an opening in the atrial septum that 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 atrium has more pressure 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.

In later terms, its insufficient diameter may lead to an overload of the right heart, which can lead to serious impairments 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 first cry, his lungs are straightened. 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 detected in the process of listening 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, it does not close during the specified period. An open oval window is found in 50 percent of children under the age of five and 10 percent of adults. At the same time, it does not interfere with the work of the heart and only in rare cases requires the intervention of the surgeon. Therefore, the presence of an open window in the baby does not Is a cause for excitement.

At the same time, do not let the situation drift, you should additionally examine the child, since this fact sometimes accompanies a respiratory distress syndrome (lung damage). In some cases, closure of the opening is impossible with congenital malformation, which is the result of stretching the walls of the atria. Also, the presence of such diseases as connective dysplasia and alcoholic embryopathy can serve as the causes.

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