A pediatric patient presents with shortness of breath, failure to thrive, feeding difficulties, and a lower left sternal border systolic thrill. An echocardiogram was obtained, which showed an enlarged left atrium. From this presentation, what diagnosis can be made for this child?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is indicated by symptoms of shortness of breath, failure to thrive, and feeding difficulties in pediatric patients, along with a systolic thrill at the lower left sternal border and an enlarged left atrium on echocardiogram, as it leads to increased blood flow to the lungs and left atrium enlargement due to the left-to-right shunt.

A Pediatric Patient Presents with Shortness of Breath, Failure to Thrive