ALCAPA

ALCAPA (anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) is a rare congenital heart defect in which this artery arises from the wrong vessel, which disrupts the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle.

How it presents: In infants, irritability, difficulty feeding, sweating, rapid breathing, or fatigue during feeding may be noticed. In some cases it goes unnoticed until later stages.

Common causes: It originates during the development of the heart before birth; it is not related to anything the parents did or failed to do.

Which specialist treats it? Evaluation usually falls to the pediatric cardiologist and, when appropriate, the cardiovascular surgeon; the pediatrician accompanies the overall follow-up. If a baby shows signs of unusual tiredness or feeding problems, it is advisable to consult a health professional who can guide the next steps.