[calikismet]

Hi all -- we just got a referral for a 6-month-old baby girl yesterday, and have accepted her. Her meds look great, and she appears to be growing and thriving. The only thing we see is a notation of a "functioning oval window." I have seen this mentioned before on both this forum and Yahoo, but cannot seem to find any archives about it. I have also seen it referred to as an "open oval window."

Does anyone know anything about this? I do know that in the US, a child born with the oval window still open (i.e. that portion of the heart that is a bypass system of sorts in utero) can get meds and/or very minor surgery to close it. But I also know that in Russian meds, this can sometimes be an overdiagnosis for a simple and minor murmur (which many have as a normal part of life)...

Any experience out there with this one? We don't fear any major heart issues, as she is thriving and growing and doing well, and we are also fine with any treatment that she may need once home... So we are not freaking, and do not consider it a health issue.. But I am curious!

Thanks in advance!

Calikismet

[Vicki H]

Our son had this diagnosis also. We were told by the doctor that infants born with this, it usually closes by the time they are one year old. In minor cases where it doesn't it usually just takes what the doctor called minor surgery to close it.
Our son did not have this diagnosis, we had him checked when we brought him home at 8 months and they could not find any evidence to back this up.

Hope this helps, congratulations on your referral.

Vicki

[Mykidsmom]

Hi,

Ditto to what VickiH posted.

Our son was a premmie, weighing 3lbs 8ozs at birth, he had this diagnosis. We adopted him at thirteen months and he has had no health issues and his ped says he fines no problems with the heart. His pediatrican has alot of adopted eastern european children in his practice.

Mykidsmom

[tamron]

I just wanted to say congratulations on your referral!! I'm so happy for you that everything is good! I wish you a speedy travel date! Keep us posted.

[emjay]

Not familiar with your question, but just wanted to say CONGRATS on your referral! Wishing you speedy travel dates to meet your little girl!

- Maura

[calikismet]

Thank you all for your kind words! I had indeed remembered that this was not a major issue, but I wanted to see if anyone else had any experience with it (a major ++ of this type of forum!!). Our son had a pretty large umbilical hernia when he came home, and he had minor surgery on that when he was about 16 months old -- the surgery was harder on us than it was on him! So if this little one needs minor surgery as well, we know that we can face that path, too!

Thanks again!!!

Calikismet

[suburbanmomgw]

Our son had this info on his chart too. At home, no sign of a problem. In Russia, they do seem to make sure you are aware and plan to have the child medically treated... It seems like a big deal in Russian court, but not an issue in the US! Congratulations!

[jmt]

You may want to visit americanheart.org for info on heart related issues. We found it helpful.

Best wishes and congrats on accepting your referral!!!

[tschuitema73]

Our son also had this diagnosis "open oval window" (along with a laundry list of diagnosis) Our doctor also found no evidence of it.
Congratulations on your referral!
Tamara

[bratgirl]

This seems to be a pretty common diagnosis. Play it up and use it to your advantage to get the ten days waived!

[spitzlvr]

I like your thinking Bratgirl!!!

And congratulations on your referrel calikismet! I hope your new little girl is in your arms soon!