About Us
Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre
Why Paediatric Cardiology is Important :
Children with heart conditions require care tailored to their specific developmental needs. Paediatric cardiologists are trained to manage these conditions from infancy through adolescence, ensuring proper heart development and preventing complications later in life.
Paediatric cardiology units often focus not only on treatment but also on providing family-centred care, offering support and education to parents and caregivers to help them understand and manage their child’s condition.
What to expect
Visiting our paediatric cardiology unit can be a new experience for both children and their families. Here’s what to expect during your visit:
Before Your Visit
Scheduling an Appointment
Pre-Appointment Preparation
Pre-Appointment Preparation
Scheduling an Appointment:
Once you’ve secured an appointment, you’ll receive information regarding the documents you need to bring, including previous medical records, referrals, and a list of your child’s current medications.
Pre-Appointment Preparation:
If it’s your first visit, you may be asked to arrive early to complete registration forms. You might need to prepare your child for procedures like blood tests or fasting (if required). Ensure you have a list of questions or concerns for the doctor to address.
Once you’ve secured an appointment, you’ll receive information regarding the documents you need to bring, including previous medical records, referrals, and a list of your child’s current medications.
Pre-Appointment Preparation:
If it’s your first visit, you may be asked to arrive early to complete registration forms. You might need to prepare your child for procedures like blood tests or fasting (if required). Ensure you have a list of questions or concerns for the doctor to address.
Upon Arrival
Warm Welcome
Check-In Process
Warm Welcome:
The hospital has a child-friendly environment, and the staff are trained to make children and families feel comfortable from the moment they arrive.
Check-In Process:
Upon arrival at the Paediatric Cardiology Unit, you will check in at the reception. The staff will verify your child’s details and medical history. There may be a short waiting period, but the reception area is designed to be comfortable, with distractions like toys or entertainment for young patients.
The hospital has a child-friendly environment, and the staff are trained to make children and families feel comfortable from the moment they arrive.
Check-In Process:
Upon arrival at the Paediatric Cardiology Unit, you will check in at the reception. The staff will verify your child’s details and medical history. There may be a short waiting period, but the reception area is designed to be comfortable, with distractions like toys or entertainment for young patients.
Consultation with the Paediatric Cardiologist
Initial Evaluation
Physical Examination
Discussion of Symptoms
Physical Examination
Discussion of Symptoms
Initial Evaluation:
During your consultation, the paediatric cardiologist will conduct a thorough review of your child’s medical history, symptoms, and any previous test results.
Physical Examination:
The doctor will perform a physical examination, focusing on your child’s heart and circulatory system, including checking heart sounds, pulse, and blood pressure.
Discussion of Symptoms: Be prepared to discuss any symptoms your child may have been experiencing, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or fainting episodes.
During your consultation, the paediatric cardiologist will conduct a thorough review of your child’s medical history, symptoms, and any previous test results.
Physical Examination:
The doctor will perform a physical examination, focusing on your child’s heart and circulatory system, including checking heart sounds, pulse, and blood pressure.
Discussion of Symptoms: Be prepared to discuss any symptoms your child may have been experiencing, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or fainting episodes.
Diagnostic Testing
Depending on the initial evaluation, the cardiologist may recommend further testing. Common diagnostic tests include:
Echocardiography (Echo)
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
Holter Monitoring
Cardiac MRI or CT Scans
Blood Tests
Echocardiography (Echo)
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
Holter Monitoring
Cardiac MRI or CT Scans
Blood Tests
Echocardiography (Echo):
A painless ultrasound to visualize your child’s heart structure and function.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG):
This test records the heart’s electrical activity and helps detect rhythm problems.
Holter Monitoring:
If necessary, your child may wear a small monitor for 24 to 48 hours to track their heart's activity over a longer period.
Cardiac MRI or CT Scans:
These advanced imaging tests might be scheduled to get detailed pictures of your child’s heart.
Blood Tests: These may be required to check for underlying conditions or confirm diagnoses.
A painless ultrasound to visualize your child’s heart structure and function.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG):
This test records the heart’s electrical activity and helps detect rhythm problems.
Holter Monitoring:
If necessary, your child may wear a small monitor for 24 to 48 hours to track their heart's activity over a longer period.
Cardiac MRI or CT Scans:
These advanced imaging tests might be scheduled to get detailed pictures of your child’s heart.
Blood Tests: These may be required to check for underlying conditions or confirm diagnoses.
Preparation for Tests
Tests
Procedures
Procedures
Tests:
Most tests are non-invasive and child-friendly.
Procedures
For some procedures, such as a cardiac catheterization, the doctor will explain the process, any required fasting, and other preparations in detail.
Most tests are non-invasive and child-friendly.
Procedures
For some procedures, such as a cardiac catheterization, the doctor will explain the process, any required fasting, and other preparations in detail.
Results and Treatment Plan
Reviewing Test Results
Diagnosis
Treatment Options
Diagnosis
Treatment Options
Reviewing Test Results:
After testing, the cardiologist will discuss the results with you. This may happen on the same day for some tests, while others (like MRIs) might take longer to process.
Diagnosis:
The doctor will explain your child’s condition, including how it affects their heart, the potential causes, and the severity of the issue.
Treatment Options:
Based on the diagnosis, the doctor will recommend a treatment plan, which may include:
After testing, the cardiologist will discuss the results with you. This may happen on the same day for some tests, while others (like MRIs) might take longer to process.
Diagnosis:
The doctor will explain your child’s condition, including how it affects their heart, the potential causes, and the severity of the issue.
Treatment Options:
Based on the diagnosis, the doctor will recommend a treatment plan, which may include:
- Medications to manage symptoms or heart function.
- Lifestyle Modifications (if needed) to support your child’s health.
- Follow-Up Tests or Monitoring to track your child’s condition over time.
- Surgical Interventions if required, such as corrective heart surgery or minimally invasive procedures.
Surgical Consultation (if necessary)
Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Medical Team Guidance
Medical Team Guidance
Paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon:
If surgery is recommended, you will meet with a paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon to discuss the procedure in detail. The surgeon will explain the risks, benefits, and what to expect during recovery.
Medical Team Guidance:
The medical team will provide comprehensive guidance on how to prepare your child for surgery, including any pre-operative instructions, such as fasting or medication adjustments.
If surgery is recommended, you will meet with a paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon to discuss the procedure in detail. The surgeon will explain the risks, benefits, and what to expect during recovery.
Medical Team Guidance:
The medical team will provide comprehensive guidance on how to prepare your child for surgery, including any pre-operative instructions, such as fasting or medication adjustments.
Post-Visit Care
After the visit
Emergency Contact
Emergency Contact
After the Visit:
You’ll receive instructions for home care, which may include monitoring symptoms, administering medications, or scheduling follow-up appointments.
Emergency Contact:
You’ll be provided with a direct line to contact the hospital in case your child experiences any complications or worsening symptoms after the visit.
You’ll receive instructions for home care, which may include monitoring symptoms, administering medications, or scheduling follow-up appointments.
Emergency Contact:
You’ll be provided with a direct line to contact the hospital in case your child experiences any complications or worsening symptoms after the visit.
Support for Families
Counselling and emotional support
Education and Resources
Education and Resources
Counselling and Emotional Support:
The Paediatric Cardiology Unit offers emotional and psychological support for both the child and the family. You may be referred to a counsellor or support group to help you cope with the challenges of managing a heart condition.
Education and Resources:
The hospital provides educational materials and one-on-one guidance to ensure that you fully understand your child’s condition and treatment plan.
The Paediatric Cardiology Unit offers emotional and psychological support for both the child and the family. You may be referred to a counsellor or support group to help you cope with the challenges of managing a heart condition.
Education and Resources:
The hospital provides educational materials and one-on-one guidance to ensure that you fully understand your child’s condition and treatment plan.
Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up appointments
Follow-up Appointments:
Your child may need regular follow-up appointments to monitor their condition, especially if they are receiving treatment or are post-surgery. The frequency of these visits will depend on the severity of the condition and the treatment plan.
Your child may need regular follow-up appointments to monitor their condition, especially if they are receiving treatment or are post-surgery. The frequency of these visits will depend on the severity of the condition and the treatment plan.
Family-Centred Approach
Family-Centred Approach
Family-Centred Approach:
The hospital takes a family-centred approach, where parents and caregivers are encouraged to be involved in the child’s care. Medical staff will ensure that all your concerns are addressed, and they’ll provide guidance on how to manage your child’s condition at home.
The hospital takes a family-centred approach, where parents and caregivers are encouraged to be involved in the child’s care. Medical staff will ensure that all your concerns are addressed, and they’ll provide guidance on how to manage your child’s condition at home.
Child-Friendly Environment
Child-Friendly Environment
Child-friendly Environment
Child-Friendly Environment Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre ensures that children feel at ease during their visits. The unit is designed with the needs of young patients in mind, with bright, welcoming spaces and staff trained in making children feel safe and comfortable during procedures.
Child-Friendly Environment Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre ensures that children feel at ease during their visits. The unit is designed with the needs of young patients in mind, with bright, welcoming spaces and staff trained in making children feel safe and comfortable during procedures.