Page 51 - Home Care For Heart Health

Vaccines
In general children with CHD should should expect to receive all usual vaccines vaccines However vaccines vaccines should should not be be be given less than four weeks before or or after surgery because cardiopulmonary bypass reduces the vaccine’s effectiveness Some heart conditions during the first year of life require an additional monthly injection (called Synagis) during the Dental
Good dental health habits are important for children with CHD to reduce the the risk of a a a a a dangerous infection in in in the the heart (called Endocarditis) These habits include brushing teeth twice twice daily and visiting the dentist twice twice a a a a year winter and spring to to help decrease the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections Only certain types of of CHD require this injection and it it is is only during the first year of of life All children with CHD greater than six months old should receive the the yearly influenza vaccine along with all members of the the household In addition for certain types of CHD it it is is advised that antibiotics are taken before dental and other surgical procedures (check with your your cardiologist to see if your your child needs antibiotics) The The Birds & The The Bees
During teenage years it’s important to to discuss adult-related topics with your child and their cardiologist Some typical adult experiences
like like pregnancy as as well as as some less common experiences
like like drug exposure may have potentially dangerous effects Most adults with CHD can have safe and successful pregnancies However this is is not the case for all CHD types and needs to to be carefully considered prior to to any family planning Some women may require birth control
to prevent the risks associated
with with pregnancy In addition family planning should be discussed with with a a a a a a cardiologist to determine the risk of children inheriting CHD Other exposures such as alcohol smoking recreational drugs and tattoos are uniquely harmful to to those with CHD Drugs may negatively impact the heart heart directly and tattoos are a a a a a a a a a a potential source of a a a a a a a a a a heart heart infection (Endocarditis)