I have a mom whose baby was born with VSD and ASD. The baby is now 12
months old.The ASD has closed; the VSD is "medium sized". Probably
because she is breastfed, the baby has no cardiac symptoms; however, the
cardiologist feels that because the baby's weight is "off the chart", he
wants to perform open heart surgery if the baby doesn't go back on the
chart within the next four months.
Baby's birthweight was 7.12 lbs.; at 8 months the baby weighed 14.3 lbs
and now at 12 months she  weighs 16.17 lbs.  The cardiologist states that
the baby is at the 50th percentile for height.  The pediatrician has
suggested pediasure to increase the baby's weight; I've suggested one
sided nursing per feeding to ensure maximum fat content. Mom states that
she herself hasn't lost weight, thus implying that she isn't restricting
her own diet.
My question is: what makes the determination for surgery to correct the
VSD? This baby isn't losing weight and has had no other symptoms unless
slow weight gain is  a symptom.

TIA

Pearl Shifer, IBCLC
Breastfeeding Coordinator, WIC Program, NYC