Septal Defects

A Septal Defect is a hole in the fetal heart in between the left and right chambers. It occurs naturally in all babies yet to be born and allows blood to bypass the fetal lungs. The baby gets it's oxygen from the placenta not the lungs so they are not needed. As soon as the baby is born the lungs fill with oxygen, the placenta does not supply the baby with oxygen any more and these holes are not needed to allow baby's blood to bypass the heart. The holes close and normal circulation occurs.

Sometimes things don't work out as planned and the Septal Defects stays open or patent. If needed a surgeon can correct these holes by patching them, sometimes they will heal naturaly.

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Last Updated 11/30/2008 7:49:22 PM