Surgery is done early in the baby’s life, often within the first few days. If the IAA was not found before birth, prostaglandin is started as soon as the diagnosis is made. It slows or stops the closing of the ductus arteriosus so oxygen-rich blood can continue flowing to the baby’s lower body until surgery to repair the aortic arch is done. The baby gets the prostaglandin through a tiny intravenous (IV) tube that delivers medicine continuously. How Is an Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA) Treated?īabies whose IAA is found on prenatal ultrasound are treated with a medicine called prostaglandin right after birth. Doctors confirm the diagnosis with an ultrasound of the baby’s heart (an echocardiogram). A pulse oximeter can measure the oxygen level in the baby’s fingers and toes. Otherwise, changes in a newborn’s appearance and activity 1–2 days after birth can be signs of the problem.Ĭomparing pulses in the baby’s arms and legs may help identify an IAA. Ultrasound images before birth can detect an IAA. How Is an Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA) Diagnosed?
There may be other heart problems, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or truncus arteriosus. Who Gets an Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA)?Īn interrupted aortic arch can be related to a genetic disorder such as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (also known as DiGeorge syndrome), so genetic testing usually is recommended.Īlmost all babies born with an IAA also have a hole between the lower chambers of the heart called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Sometimes, it’s related to a genetic condition that can be inherited, but it can happen with no known cause. The problem happens when the aorta does not form properly early in pregnancy. What Causes Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA)? Depending on the location of the gap in the aorta, a normal pulse might not be felt in the baby’s left arm. The baby’s pulse can be felt in the right arm but will be weak or absent in the legs. The baby’s legs may look gray and feel cool compared with the shoulders and head. The lack of blood flow and oxygen can damage the liver, kidneys, and intestines. As the vessel closes more completely, symptoms become more severe and life-threatening. When the ductus arteriosus begins closing in a baby with IAA, the baby will look weak and may feed poorly. Within the first hours or days after a baby is born, the ductus arteriosus normally closes. That’s because circulation before and during birth lets oxygen-rich blood reach the lower half of the baby’s body through a temporary blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. The gap in the aorta usually doesn’t cause problems until after a baby is born. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of an Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA)? Body parts that are fed by blood vessel branches beyond the gap (such as the legs and belly) will be damaged if the flow of oxygen-rich blood is not restored. In an IAA, the ends of the aorta on either side of the gap are closed, so blood does not flow into the gap. What Happens When a Baby Has an Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA)? In an interrupted aortic arch, part of the aorta is missing, leaving a gap. Normally, it’s shaped like an arch or curve. The aorta is the heart’s main pipeline, carrying oxygen-rich blood to the body. Content What Is an Interrupted Aortic Arch (IAA)?Īn interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare heart condition that happens when the aorta doesn’t form completely.
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