Q: My baby has a small ASD. Is waiting until age 2 for a follow-up echo normal?

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Question:

My baby was diagnosed with a small Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) shortly after birth. We were told we don't need a repeat echocardiogram until age 2 to see if it has closed on its own. This seems like a very long time to wait. Is this standard for small ASDs? I'm worried it could get worse in the meantime.

Answer:

For a small ASD (Atrial Septal Defect), waiting until age 2 for a repeat echo to see if it closes on its own is standard practice. It's unlikely to get worse.

The doctor likely made their decision based on the size of the ASD. The prognosis for ASDs varies greatly depending on their size: those under 5mm usually close on their own, while those 10mm or larger generally don't. Even in those cases, doctors will continue to monitor and decide on the best course of action, including whether and when to perform surgery.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

https://fevercoach.us