Today I took Asher in for an echo of his heart. At our last two pediatrician appointments his doctor has heard a murmur and said it was time to get it checked out. There is a pediatric heart clinic in Bakersfield, so it was nice not to have to drive to LA for this!
Ends up that Asher has a small ASD (Atrial Septal Defect), it is a very tiny hole between the top two chambers of his heart, 3mm to be precise. It is a very common occurrence and 20% of the population has or had this (at least that's what the doctor quoted). It still has a chance to go away on its own, but since it is there they will continue to follow him. He will be seen in another 6 months and then at 2 years, 4 years and 7 years. At any of those visits, if it is no longer there, then he won't need to be seen again.
I asked if they ever fix them, he said only if there is a problem with clotting or uncontrolled migraines. And it sounds like that wouldn't happen unless he was older. And he said it was a very minor surgery to fix, they go in through a vein or artery (I forget which) and apply a tiny patch to the hole. It's considered an outpatient procedure.
So, all in all, it sounds very minor. Something that could easily still close on its own. Praising God for great news and a healthy baby boy!
No comments:
Post a Comment