Can you tell me about how to deal with a child with the heart condition pfo (patent forearm ovale)?

Nothing special: In newborns and infants, the finding of a patent foramen ovale (pfo) is of no consequence. Before birth, a pfo is a necessary part of the normal circulation. After birth, the pfo can still be seen, sometimes for months. The most common time a pfo is detected is when an echocardiogram is performed in evaluation of a murmur and the pfo is seen. However, the pfo is not the cause of the murmur.

Depends: A PFO is considered a normal cardiac finding and is present in 25% of the general population. The presence of a PFO is important if there are certain other medical conditions (such as recurrent strokes or blood clots among others). If the child has no other conditions, then a PFO is considered normal. Please discuss this child's specific case with a board-certified pediatric cardiologist.