Pediatric Cardiology in Türkiye | MPGCARE

A heart murmur, rapid heartbeat, poor feeding or fainting can raise many questions for a family. Pediatric cardiology evaluates the structure, function and rhythm of a child’s heart and plans medical care and follow-up. MPGCARE coordinates information and appointments with Medical Park and Liv Hospital; the receiving center must confirm the pediatric specialist, age and weight criteria, available tests and treatment scope for each child.

Pediatric cardiology is different from cardiac surgery

The pediatric cardiologist leads diagnosis, medical treatment and follow-up. An interventional pediatric cardiologist performs selected catheter-based procedures; a pediatric electrophysiologist evaluates complex rhythm disorders. A pediatric cardiac surgeon assesses operations when the heart team recommends them. These are distinct services: referral to cardiology does not mean your child needs surgery. The receiving center must confirm the relevant team and the scope of care for the child’s condition.

Congenital heart conditions

Condition	Symptoms and what families should notice	Tests the physician may select
Atrial septal defect (ASD)	Often found because of a murmur; some children develop exercise intolerance. A diagnosis does not automatically mean a procedure is needed.	Echocardiography assesses the opening, blood flow and chamber size; an ECG may support the assessment.
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)	A murmur, rapid breathing, sweating with feeds or slow weight gain may occur. Report feeding difficulty and growth changes.	Echocardiography assesses the defect and its effect on the heart; ECG and a chest X-ray are selected when clinically useful.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)	An open fetal blood vessel may cause a murmur, feeding problems or rapid breathing, especially in premature infants.	Echocardiography evaluates blood flow and heart function; additional tests depend on prematurity and clinical findings.
Pulmonary valve stenosis	A narrowed valve may cause a murmur; more severe narrowing can cause fatigue or bluish discoloration.	Doppler echocardiography measures the narrowing; an ECG and other imaging may be needed for selected cases.
Aortic valve stenosis	A murmur may be the first sign. Chest pain or fainting during activity needs prompt medical assessment.	Echocardiography and ECG assess the valve and heart response; exercise testing is considered only when the cardiologist judges it appropriate.
Coarctation of the aorta	Weak leg pulses, differences in arm and leg blood pressure or exercise difficulty may occur. An unwell newborn needs urgent local care.	Pulse and blood pressure measurements plus echocardiography; cardiac MRI or CT may clarify anatomy when needed.
Tetralogy of Fallot	Bluish lips or tongue, feeding difficulty or episodes of worsening blueness require careful assessment; a severe episode is an emergency.	Oxygen saturation, echocardiography and ECG; additional imaging is chosen by the congenital heart team for planning.
Transposition of the great arteries	A newborn with blue lips or tongue or breathing difficulty requires immediate local neonatal assessment, rather than waiting to travel.	Urgent clinical assessment and echocardiography establish the anatomy; the specialist team decides the necessary stabilization and intervention.

Rhythm disorders and acquired heart conditions

Condition	Symptoms and what families should notice	Tests the physician may select
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)	Episodes of a very fast heartbeat may cause palpitations, dizziness or poor feeding in infants. Record the timing, duration and associated symptoms.	An ECG during symptoms is valuable; Holter or event monitoring and echocardiography may be selected. A pediatric electrophysiologist assesses complex rhythm problems.
Long QT syndrome	Fainting with exercise or strong emotion and a family history of unexplained sudden death are important clues. Review all medicines with the physician.	Expert ECG interpretation, medication and electrolyte review; repeat ECG, rhythm monitoring, exercise testing and genetic testing are selected according to the history.
Dilated cardiomyopathy	Breathlessness, fatigue, feeding difficulty or poor growth may reflect weakened heart pumping. Symptoms need clinical assessment.	ECG and echocardiography; selected blood tests, cardiac MRI and genetic or family assessment help investigate the cause.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy	Exercise-related chest pain, fainting or a family history of cardiomyopathy needs assessment. Sports advice must be individualized.	ECG and echocardiography; rhythm monitoring, cardiac MRI and genetic or family evaluation support risk assessment when indicated.
Myocarditis	After an infection, unusual fatigue, chest pain, breathlessness or poor feeding may signal heart muscle inflammation. Significant symptoms need urgent evaluation.	ECG and echocardiography, with blood tests such as troponin and cardiac MRI when appropriate. No single test alone establishes every case.
Kawasaki disease	Persistent fever with red eyes, mouth changes, rash or swollen hands and feet needs prompt local pediatric assessment; coronary arteries can be affected.	Clinical evaluation, inflammatory markers and other blood or urine tests, ECG and echocardiography. A normal early echo does not exclude the disease, and treatment should not be delayed while waiting for imaging.
Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease	Fever and joint symptoms after a streptococcal infection may accompany heart valve inflammation. New breathlessness should be assessed.	Diagnosis uses clinical criteria with evidence of a preceding infection, inflammatory tests, ECG and Doppler echocardiography. An elevated ASO result alone is not a diagnosis.

A murmur, chest pain or fainting: what does it mean?

Many childhood murmurs are innocent, and chest pain can have causes outside the heart. The physician decides whether cardiac testing is needed after reviewing symptoms and examining the child. Fainting during exercise, chest pain with exertion, or symptoms with a family history of sudden unexplained death warrant prompt assessment. A website or a photograph cannot establish a diagnosis.

Consultation, tests and procedures are separate steps

A consultation reviews history, growth, blood pressure, pulses and the examination. ECG records electrical activity; an echocardiogram uses ultrasound to examine heart structure and function. Holter or event monitoring, an exercise test, fetal echocardiography during pregnancy, cardiac MRI or CT are selected for a specific question. Catheterization and electrophysiology procedures are invasive and require a separate indication, risk discussion and consent. Not every child needs every test.

Can we send the previous echocardiogram report?

Yes. Prepare the dated, complete report and, when available, the original image loops or DICOM files, along with ECGs, Holter reports and earlier comparisons. A written report is useful, but screenshots may not contain enough information. The pediatric cardiologist decides whether the records answer the current question or whether an updated examination or scan is needed. Ask MPGCARE for the agreed secure submission channel; do not post a child’s medical records publicly.

Which specialist should we choose, and is an intervention necessary?

The first assessment is usually with a pediatric cardiologist. Congenital defects, rhythm disorders and suspected inherited disease may need different expertise; fetal assessment is coordinated with obstetric care. Observation, medicines, catheter treatment or surgery are chosen according to confirmed anatomy, severity, symptoms, heart function, growth, age and weight. The physician and relevant heart team discuss the indication, alternatives and risks with the family. A disease name alone does not determine the treatment, and improvement or a permanent result cannot be guaranteed.

If a procedure is proposed, ask about bleeding, vessel injury, rhythm complications, anesthesia risks, residual problems and possible repeat interventions. The risks differ between catheter treatment and surgery.

Records to prepare before the appointment

Send the child’s age, current weight, birth and prematurity history, growth records, symptoms and their timing, medicines and allergies. Include echo images and reports, ECGs, rhythm recordings, discharge summaries, previous procedure or surgery records and an implanted-device card if applicable. Tell the team about fainting, unexplained sudden deaths at a young age, cardiomyopathy or inherited rhythm disorders in the family. Explain language needs and which local physician currently follows the child.

Important points for families

Watch for sweating or tiring during feeding, rapid breathing, changes in lip or tongue color, poor weight gain and reduced activity. Record the onset and duration of palpitations and any fainting; share these details with the physician. Do not rely on a home pulse reading alone to decide that a child is safe.

Give prescribed medicines as directed and check new medicines, supplements and cold remedies with the treating physician, especially with rhythm disorders. Do not stop or change treatment on your own. Maintain oral and dental care; preventive antibiotics before dental treatment are only for specific indications determined by the clinician.

Ask for an individualized plan for school, sports and travel, including symptoms that require stopping activity. Share the emergency plan with caregivers and the school. Support the child’s emotional well-being; restrictions and recovery depend on the diagnosis and treatment, not a universal promise.

When should you seek urgent local care?

New or worsening blue lips or tongue, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, unusual unresponsiveness, or a sustained rapid heartbeat with fainting or chest pain needs immediate local emergency assessment. A newborn who is very unwell or cannot feed also needs urgent care. Do not wait for an international appointment or transfer. Persistent fever with possible Kawasaki features needs prompt local assessment. A stable murmur or a planned review of a known condition can usually follow a routine appointment pathway as advised by the local physician.

Preparation, accompanying parent and follow-up at home

For any planned sedation or invasive procedure, the receiving center provides child-specific instructions about fasting, medicines and preparation after reviewing the case. Do not apply general fasting times or change medicines yourself. Confirm parental consent, accompanying-parent arrangements, interpreter needs and the expected visit sequence with the hospital.

Before leaving, obtain the diagnosis, test results, treatment plan, medicine list, follow-up timing and emergency contacts. Follow-up in your own country requires an agreed handover to a local pediatric cardiologist and access to any necessary tests or device checks. Complex congenital disease may require long-term follow-up and later transition to adult congenital heart care. The physician decides fitness for travel and whether additional visits are required.

Contact MPGCARE to coordinate a pediatric cardiology record review and appointment. The center confirms the specialist, investigations, possible procedures and follow-up plan for your child.

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