رضيع عمره ٤ أشهر عنده ثقب كبير بين البطينين، ينتظر الجراحة. أمه تقول إنه يأخذ وقتاً طويلاً في الرضاعة ويتوقف ليرتاح. التنفس ٦٢، والنبض ١٦٠، ووزنه على منحنى النمو ينزل. أي علامة تدل أن فشل القلب يتطور عنده؟

A 4-month-old with a large VSD awaiting surgery takes a long time to feed and stops to rest, says his mother. RR 62, HR 160, and he is falling across centiles. Which sign indicates developing heart failure?

1. Sweating and tiring during feeds with poor weight gain
2. Long quiet sleeps with quick, easy feeds
3. Excellent weight gain and mostly dry nappies
4. A loud strong cry with normal pink colour

Answer: A) Sweating and tiring during feeds with poor weight gain. For infants, feeding is exercise. Sweating, tiring, long feeds, poor growth and fast breathing are heart-failure signs. Small frequent feeds are given, sometimes with added calories as planned.