La vie de l’enfant cardiaque

Heart disease in children is usually a chronic and severe condition that intrudes into all the phases of development and therefore governs the patient’s life. The physical health problems are compounded by the secondary development of psychological and social difficulties. The ability to lead as normal a life as possible determines quality of life, eventual self-sufficiency, and therefore the chances for a completely successful treatment. The paediatrician and family physician should have a global approach to the problems met by the child and family, who often need help in overcoming the obstacles met in their daily lives. Relationships within the family, school, professional training, sporting activities, potential effects on usual childhood diseases, and nutritional consequences regularly require the physician’s attention, to the same extent as the treatment and follow-up of the heart disease itself.