Are there any long-term health issues for children with truncus arteriosus?
The surgical success for early repair of truncus arteriosus in babies has improved greatly with 85 to 90 percent survival. Re-operation to replace the conduit will be needed periodically, but these operations are quite low risk to the child. Endocarditis prophylaxis: Throughout their lives, children with truncus arteriosus are at an increased risk for bacterial endocarditis (SBE). This is an infection of the heart caused by bacteria in the blood stream. Children with heart defects are more prone to this problem because of the altered flow of blood within and out of the heart. It can occur after dental work or medical procedures on the gut or respiratory tract because these procedures almost always result in some bacteria entering the blood. SBE can usually be prevented by taking an antibiotic before these procedures. Exercise guidelines: An individual exercise program is best planned by discussing with the doctor so that all factors can be included. Children with truncus arteriosus are
