JAKARTA - Congenital heart disease (PJB) is a structural or functional abnormality of the heart that has been present since birth due to fetal developmental disorders. Globally, the prevalence of PJB is estimated to reach 8-10 cases per thousand live births.
Specialist Doctor of Heart and Blood Vessels, Subspecialist of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease at Pondok Indah Hospital, Dr. Yovi Kurniawati, Sp. J.P, Subsp. K.Ped.P.J.B. (K), said that the cause of PJB is not yet known for sure, and is multifactorial.
"There is no one cause that can be said to cause congenital heart disease. So it is said that this is multifactorial, there are many factors that can affect it," said Dr. Yovi during a media meeting in Senayan, Jakarta, written on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
The impact of PJB varies greatly, ranging from mild growth and development disorders, to fatal conditions that threaten life due to blood flow disorders. Therefore, parents must be alert and recognize the symptoms of congenital heart disease so that they can detect it early and take preventive measures quickly.
The symptoms of PJB are generally divided into two main categories, namely the cyanic or blue type, and the ashy or non-blue type. In the cyanic type, the bluish color change is clearly visible in the mouth, tongue, and fingertips of the baby's hands and feet.
These symptoms can appear immediately after the baby is born or develop as the child ages and physical activity increases.
Meanwhile, the asiatic type often does not show any real physical symptoms, but can be detected through the pattern of breastfeeding the baby. Like babies who are not able to suck milk well.
"Children who breastfeed intermittently due to shortness of breath may suffer from congenital heart disease. This condition also makes it difficult for children to gain weight," he explained.
Other symptoms to watch out for are repeated coughing and fever, very fast breathing and heart rate, swelling in the legs, stomach, and puffiness around the eyes.
In older children, congenital heart disease is often characterized by the habit of squatting when feeling tired after doing light or heavy physical activity.
By recognizing these symptoms, parents can make early detection if their child experiences them. The process of identifying PJB in children can be done with a systematic approach known as the five-finger method.
The method includes checking the patient's history in depth, physical examination through the look, touch, or listen technique, heart recording or EKG, plain chest photo, and cardiac ultrasound and laboratory examination.
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