The first June edition of the Vamos Falar de Saúde program addressed congenital heart diseases. These heart malformations develop during gestation and can seriously compromise the child’s health if not identified in time.
During the program, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Ana Neves and pediatrician Dr. Gilberta Benguela explained the main risk factors associated with the disease. These include:
- Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- Maternal infections
- Genetic factors
- Mental health problems of the pregnant woman.
In addition, the specialists reinforced the importance of early diagnosis. According to the doctors, tests such as fetal echocardiography and the “heart screening test,” performed after birth, significantly increase the chances of successful treatment. Consequently, affected children can have a better quality of life and healthier development.
On the other hand, late diagnosis can lead to serious complications. Among them are heart failure, recurrent respiratory infections, and the risk of premature death.
The guests also warned about the dangers of home births. In these cases, the absence of immediate medical evaluation can delay the identification of the disease and hinder timely intervention.
Meanwhile, as part of the awareness-raising activities, the 1st International Workshop on Congenital Heart Disease was announced. The event will take place on June 11th and 12th at the Hotel Serra da Chela in Lubango. The meeting will bring together national and international specialists. The objective is to strengthen the capacity of health professionals and, at the same time, raise awareness in society about the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these pathologies.
The complete edition of the program is available on the digital platforms of the Liberatos Group.