Blue babies: when to intervene.

Cyanotic congenital heart disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates, infants and children. Presently facilities for treatment for most of these cases are available in many centres in India also. The most important factor is awareness, complete correct diagnosis and timely intervention either palliative or corrective. In admixture lesions very early intervention is needed so as to avoid development of pulmonary vascular obstructive disease which develops early in these cases. Some of the patients of reduced pulmonary blood flow may need aggressive intervention in neonatal period. The patient of tetralogy of Fallot should have surgical correction before their first birthday. Due to great variation in the anatomical substrate and natural history each case needs complete meticulous evaluation. Later a plan of management keeping in view the natural history of the uncorrected lesion should be made.