Septal defect is defined as an abnormality in the wall separating the left and right sides of the heart. It is congenital in nature and has two classifications, the atrial septal defect and the ventricular septal defect. The kind of septal defect depends on the location of the hole. In atrial septal defect, there is an opening in the wall (septum) dividing the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Ventricular septal defect, on the other hand, is a malformation where a hole is present in the wall of the lower chambers (ventricle) of the heart. Genetics and effects of drug, like Paxil side effects, taken during pregnancy are only some of the many reasons associated with the condition.

Atrial septal defects (ASD) account for 9 percent of congenital heart defects. There are three sub-classifications of ASD, depending on the location of the hole. The symptoms of the condition are affected by the size and position of the whole. Generally, the condition is asymptomatic wherein children feels well, grows and gains weight normally just like any child. But with a larger hole and a more severe ASD, a child may experience poor weight gain, decreased exercise tolerance, frequent upper respiratory tract infections, poor growth, shortness of breath and poor appetite. ASDs are seldom diagnosed early in life. The heart murmurs of ASD are not as audible as the other murmurs making it harder to determine and be diagnosed sometime between infancy and adolescence. Serious complications may arise as the child grows older if the condition remains untreated. Fortunately for most kids today, it can be detected even before symptoms start to appear. Cardiologists recommend that the hole be closed as early as possible.

The most common type of CHD is ventricular septal defect which compromises 25% of the total congenital heart defects. The severity of the symptoms depends on the size of the hole. VSDs with small holes are asymptomatic and have a high rate of spontaneous closure during the first year of life. It can be determined by the health care provider when a loud heart murmur is audible upon auscultation. One to six months after birth, symptoms start to appear and the left ventricle begins to fails. Feeding difficulties, poor weight gain, failure to thrive, very fast heartbeats, sweating, fast breathing, and pallor are some of its symptoms. If it remains undetected and untreated, it can cause more serious health problems. If not surgically treated, it can lead to irreversible pulmonary hypertension which has a poor prognosis.

Both atrial and ventricular defects are fatal. The key to this, is early detection and management. Regular visit to a health care provider is necessary. To know more about the septal defects and other Paxil birth defects, it is best to talk to your doctor.