Pediatric Cardiology Clinic
In recent years, the rate of diagnosis of heart diseases in children and adolescents has increased due to both greater awareness and advancements in diagnostic technologies. Pediatric cardiology encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cardiovascular diseases in a wide age range—from the fetus in the womb to newborns, infants, children, and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
In a tertiary-level pediatric cardiology clinic, congenital (present at birth) heart diseases, acquired heart diseases, rhythm disorders, cardiomyopathies, hypertension, and rheumatic heart diseases are evaluated through a multidisciplinary approach. Congenital heart diseases occur in approximately 0.8–1% of live births and are among the most common congenital anomalies in childhood. Risk factors include infections during pregnancy, maternal conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune diseases, exposure to certain medications, alcohol and smoking, genetic factors, and consanguineous marriages. Today, fetal echocardiography allows detection of heart anomalies during pregnancy, and in high-risk cases, delivery can be planned at appropriate medical centers.
While congenital heart diseases are more prominent during the newborn period, acquired conditions such as acute rheumatic fever, myocarditis, cardiomyopathies, rhythm disorders, and hypertension may occur during childhood and adolescence. Symptoms of heart disease in children vary by age, but common signs include heart murmurs, cyanosis (bluish discoloration), easy fatigue, difficulty feeding, poor weight gain, developmental delay, rapid breathing, frequent respiratory infections, chest pain, palpitations, and fainting.
However, not every heart murmur detected in childhood is pathological; innocent murmurs are also common. A definitive evaluation should always be performed by a pediatric cardiologist. In tertiary centers, in addition to detailed physical examinations, advanced diagnostic methods such as electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ECHO), rhythm and blood pressure Holter monitoring, exercise testing, cardiac MRI, and when necessary, cardiac catheterization are used.
While many congenital heart conditions only require regular follow-up, some patients may need medication, interventional catheter procedures, or surgical treatment. It is essential not to neglect routine pediatric check-ups. Children—especially those with a family history of early sudden death, those participating in sports, or those experiencing symptoms such as palpitations, fainting, or chest pain—should be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist.
The primary goal of a tertiary pediatric cardiology clinic is to ensure that children lead healthy lives through early diagnosis and timely, accurate treatment.