Signs of Heart Disease in Newborns: A Parent's Checklist

A newborn's heart problem can be easy to miss because the signs look like ordinary fussiness. Recognising them early makes all the difference.

Warning signs to watch for

• Bluish skin, lips or nails (cyanosis) — a sign of low blood oxygen
• Fast or laboured breathing, especially at rest
• Poor feeding or sweating during feeds — the baby tires quickly
• Poor weight gain despite feeding
• Unusual sleepiness or lack of energy

If you notice one or more of these, see a paediatric cardiologist promptly. A painless echocardiogram can confirm or rule out a heart defect within minutes.

Most heart defects found early are very treatable — often without open-heart surgery.