Children's Hospital Colorado
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Atrial Septal Defect

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What is atrial septal defect (ASD) in kids?

If your child has an atrial septal defect, or ASD, he or she has a hole in the wall of the heart that separates its two upper chambers, the left and right atrium. The hole is formed when the heart wall, called the atrial septum, does not seal completely during a baby's development. This condition is sometimes known as "a hole in the heart" in children. ASD in kids is a congenital heart defect, which means children are born with it.

The location on the septum (wall) and size of the hole can vary from child to child. Some ASDs are so small they heal themselves as a child grows, but others may require closure with either a heart catheterization or surgery. Rarely, an atrial septal defect is part of a more complicated heart condition that might involve other heart defects.

In the model below:

An atrial septal defect (1) forms a hole or "communication" between the two top chambers of the heart.

 

Why is pediatric ASD a health concern?

Normally, the septum seals off the two atria from each other completely. But the presence of an ASD allows blood from the higher-pressure left atrium to seep into the right atrium. This causes extra blood to be sent from the right side of the heart back into the lungs.

An atrial septal defect in children may increase the risk of stroke and lung infections caused by the extra blood pushing through the lungs.

ASD is more common in girls, although the reason why is still unknown. ASD is usually diagnosed before a child is old enough to go to school.

See why our outcomes make us one of the top heart hospitals

One family's journey with ASD:

9News anchor Cheryl Preheim's 7-year-old son had open-heart surgery at Children's Colorado to correct a congenital heart condition. Then, pregnant with her fourth child, Cheryl learned that the baby she was carrying had a kidney defect. Watch their inspiring journey at our hospital.

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Get to know our pediatric experts.

Martin Runciman, MBBS

Martin Runciman, MBBS

Cardiology - Pediatric

Erin Lueth, MD

Erin Lueth, MD

Cardiology - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Gareth Morgan, MD

Gareth Morgan, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiology - Pediatric

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Brian Fonseca, MD

Brian Fonseca, MD

Cardiology - Pediatric