What are the long-term health issues for children with truncus arteriosus?
In leading centers, the surgical success for early repair of truncus arteriosus in babies has improved greatly with 90% survival. Re-operation to replace the conduit will be needed periodically but these operations are quite low risk to the child. Possible long-term medical problems for children born with truncus arteriosus include conduit obstruction and/or leakage of the truncal valve requiring re-operation. SBE prophylaxis: Throughout their lives, children with truncus arteriosus are at increased risk for subacute 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 through the heart. It can occur after dental work or medical procedures on the GI 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 guid
