Adverse effects of Pollution on Children with CHD

Winter is here and so is the dreaded air pollution! The air pollution affecting those of us in parts of North India is distressing. It has become an annual occurrence at least for the past 6 years or so. The common man is exposed to high levels of particulate matter of various types apart from toxic chemicals like nitrogen oxide. For families with children with heart defects, like congenital heart disease, the polluted air which their babies are forced to breathe is scary!

The PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles enter deep into the child’s lungs and make them susceptible to catching pneumonia or triggering an asthma attack! If congenital heart disease does not get proper treatment on time, it could lead to fatality. The ongoing pollution may worsen the pulmonary hypertension that some of these children have.  For the already overburdened heart, all these factors may land the child in the hospital or even in the ICU. Some kids may get palpitations too. Stemming from this, Genesis Foundation is a children heart foundation located in Gurgaon, is very active when it comes to providing aid to the children suffering from congenital heart disease.

This NGO understands that it is an everyday challenge for the children to simply survive and it is equally painful for the family members to see their children’s hearts overworking to keep them alive! No one deserves to live in such misery. Hence, Genesis Foundation has been partnering with different hospitals to provide Free heart surgery for poor in India. Precautionary measures are taken by this NGO before partnering with the hospitals like seasoned doctors, present day equipment to carry our delicate surgeries, hygiene, overall reputation are looked after before the partnership.

A CHD survivor with her family members and lifesaving surgeons

Well, there are cases where the child requires corrective surgery.  After the corrective heart surgery is done, it becomes even more difficult and challenging for the child to recover at home only due to poor air quality. This AQI is potent enough to expose these children to immunocompromise (from heart surgery), which can easily expose the children to various infections. The privileged families still have better control over this situation. However, the ones coming from financially challenged backgrounds are left directionless. Free heart surgery for poor in India (both the before and aftermath) is almost an unbeatable burden and Genesis Foundation has identified this long back. This is the reason why the Foundation works tirelessly to arrange opportunities for the children to have another chance to live!

#SaveLittleHearts and give little lives a chance to live longer

It is natural to have several questions floating in the mind right now and the most common seems to be…

“What are the precautionary measures one can take to protect the child with Congenital Heart Disease from further damage, especially during such AQI?”

Please read on to know better…

• Parents to have their babies vaccinated with all the routine vaccines and the Flu Vaccine. This can be taken by a baby if he/she is older than 6 months. It is to be taken once a year, best taken in the Monsoon season so that the entire winter season is thoroughly covered.

The other measures are that are general in nature

• It is best to avoid outdoor time especially early mornings and late evenings. If outdoor activity is unavoidable, the child must wear a well-fitting N95 mask. These are easily available in any chemist shop these days (post Covid era).
• HEPA filter at home should be used. Windows should be kept closed when AQI is high.
• Be alert about cigarette smoke exposure
• Healthy diet must be followed to keep the immune system healthy.
• Immediately visit the child’s doctor if the child develops any respiratory symptoms.

In case the matter is going out of hands, and one is not being to get a grip for the basic treatment for their children, reaching out to this children heart foundation will lead to results. Genesis Foundation believes in progress, takes swift actions to resolve the matter at hand and believes in giving little hearts another chance to live!