UChicago Medicine Comer Children's

Pediatric Heart Failure

At the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, we provide the most advanced treatment options for infants, children and teens suffering from heart failure. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is unable to deliver enough nutrient-rich blood to meet the body’s need for oxygen. In babies and young children, this may happen when a valve defect allows too much blood to pass through the lungs, overwhelming the body. In older children and teens, heart failure often results from a weakened or damaged heart muscle. During heart failure, the heart keeps pumping, but cannot efficiently meet the body's needs.

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Signs & Symptoms of Pediatric Heart Failure

Signs and symptoms of heart failure in children include difficulty breathing and/or lack of interest in eating. Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Slow growth
  • Excessive sweating
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure

Diagnosising Heart Failure in Children

To diagnose or rule out heart failure, our physicians will start by taking a medical history and performing a physical exam. We may also use some of the following tests:

  • Echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart
  • Cardiac catheterization, which is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small, flexible tube to examine the heart
  • Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan, which takes pictures of the heart using X-ray waves
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which takes pictures of the heart using a machine with a large magnet

Treating Heart Failure in Children

The cause of each patient's heart failure will determine his/her treatment plan. If your child's heart failure is caused by a congenital heart defect, the underlying defect will likely need to be treated — either with medication or surgery. Children with heart failure caused by arrhythmias may require a pacemaker or radiofrequency ablation to correct the abnormal heartbeat. Before recommending surgery, our cardiologists and cardiac surgeons will discuss the best treatment options for your child and family.

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Pediatric patient Drew Mastrino and his mom, Kristina Mastrino of Naperville, Il, on January 16, 2013. Drew is treated at Comer Children's Hospital by pediatric gastroenterologist TImothy Sentongo, MD, for an allergic condition called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

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You can also schedule an appointment instantly for in-person and video visits through our online scheduling portal.

The information you provide will enable us to assist you as efficiently as possible. A representative will contact you within one to two business days to help you schedule an appointment.

To speak to someone directly, please call 1-888-824-0200. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.