Update on key care practices in the delivery room and postnatal care of newborns with congenital heart disease
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Abstract
Introduction: Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most prevalent congenital defect. Early diagnosis, especially when there are fetal and neonatal repercussions, enables the planning delivery in units equipped to care for these newborns. Objective: This study aimed to present an update on the prenatal and postnatal management of some of the main critical structural CHDs and arrhythmias with significant fetal and neonatal hemodynamic repercussions, such as transposition of the great arteries (TGA), Ebstein's anomaly, complete atrioventricular heart block (CAVB), and reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Data source: The methodology comprised a narrative review of relevant articles on the mentioned CHDs, with a focus on updating clinical practice. Data was obtained after searching PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar. Data synthesis: Critical CHDs and arrhythmias with hemodynamic repercussions require a specific therapeutic approach, and it is essential to highlight some topics regarding the care of these patients. Conclusions: Early detection facilitates parental counseling, enables better birth planning, and optimizes postnatal therapeutic management, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality rates related to heart disease.
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