[Cardiological problems in the neonatal period (author's transl)].

Knowledge of the changes during transition from fetal to neonatal circulation is useful for the understanding of physiologic and pathologic variations in the neonatal cardiovascular system. Cyanosis as well as clinical symptoms of congestive heart failure in the neonate are unspecific and may represent cardiac and noncardiac disease (primary pulmonary disease, septicemia, intracranial haemorrhage or meningitis, polyglobulism). Besides detailed analysis of clinical symptoms, the examination of arterial bloodgases when breathing from room air and 100% oxygen, the electrocardiogram, the chest-roentgenogram, and the echocardiogram are of diagnostic value. Specific cardiovascular problems during the neonatal period are the patent ductus arteriosus in the premature infant and the so-called persistent fetal circulation. Among the many congenital cardiac defects potentially causing problems in the neonate the most important are complete transposition of the great arteries, coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and severe tetralogy of Fallot or pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. With good cooperation between obstetrician, neonatologist and paediatric cardiologist, most neonates with cardiologic problems can nowadays be timely diagnosed and successfully treated.