Question

Occasionally a baby is born with a defect in septum of the heart. A tiny rupture, or a hole in the septum is a usual defect in such cases. If this kind of a defect exists in the inter- ventricular septum of a baby, what will be physiological consequences of this defect?

• A. Body receives deoxygenated blood, hence she may lose her life unless operated upon immediately.
• B. So long as baby is calm and quiet she remains normal, however on exertion or crying her skin turns bluish and baby gets exhausted.
• C. Heart cannot pump blood effectively, so blood does not reach all the tissues.
• D. Since valves are normal, systemic as well as pulmonary circulations are normal but blood pressure is low.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

So long as baby is calm and quiet she remains normal, however on exertion or crying her skin turns bluish and baby gets exhausted.

In cases of defects such as a hole in the interventricular septum, oxygenated blood from the left side and deoxygenated blood from the right side cannot be kept separate and there is mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. This causes the need for the heart to pump harder, and the lungs also need to work harder. As a result, the infant shows signs of shortness of breath, fast and hard breathing, and paleness upon exertion and also gets tired easily.

So, the correct option is 'So long as the baby is calm and quiet she remains normal, however on exertion or crying her skin turns bluish and baby gets exhausted'.