P29: Cardiovascular disorders originating in the perinatal period
P29.1: Neonatal cardiac dysrhythmia
The heart pumps blood through the body. Inside the heart are 4 chambers. There are 2 heart atria and 2 ventricles. Both heart atria and both ventricles are separated from each other by a partition. The heart's electrical activity causes the heart muscle to contract. It normally begins at a site in your right atrium. The electrical activity spreads further around the heart via a type of cable. Some of these cables together form the conduction system in the heart.
There may be no particular reason for the baby having a changed heartbeat. However, congenital changes to the conduction system in the heart, for example, can also cause a changed heartbeat. A heartbeat can also change after an operation or inflammation. A changed heartbeat may also be inherited. If so, other family members may also be affected.
In babies there can be a variety of indications of a heartbeat that is irregular, too fast or too slow. There may be a pallor, or the skin may be blueish. The child may also sweat or be exhausted when drinking. There may also be no external indications at all, however.
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