Symptoms Of Alagille Syndrome

Heart Murmurs

Individuals with this condition have heart abnormalities that can start from unnoticeable heart murmurs to serious defects in the heart's structure. With heart murmurs, you will hear an additional sound when the heart is beating. In children who have Alagille syndrome, heart murmurs are caused by the narrowing of the pulmonary artery. You will find children with Alagille syndrome have complex heart defects, such as tetralogy of Fallot, which is a rare version of cyanotic heart disease. Cyanosis is characterized by a bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes and the skin because of the lack of the right amount of oxygenated blood.

There are four heart defects in the tetralogy of Fallot: a massive enlargement of the right atrium, displacement of the largest artery in the body (aorta) that causes blood-flow from the left and right ventricles to the aorta, ventricular heart defect, and obstruction of the blood flow from the right atrium of the heart to the lungs because of pulmonary stenosis. Pulmonary stenosis is an abnormally narrow opening that occurs between the pulmonary artery and the right atrium. Other defects include atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, aorta coarctation, and patent ductus arteriosus.

Some studies have indicated in rare cases, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can be associated with this condition and symptoms. In Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, electrical disturbances are felt in the heart.

Keep on reading to learn more details about the various symptoms of Alagille syndrome now.