What is the primary symptom of congestive heart failure in infants?

The primary symptom of congestive heart failure in infants is poor feeding and failure to thrive. This symptom arises because infants suffering from heart failure often have diminished cardiac output, leading to inadequate perfusion and energy to sustain feeding. As a result, they may struggle to feed effectively, resulting in a lack of necessary nutrients for growth and development. This can lead to failure to thrive, which is a significant concern in pediatric populations.

Poor feeding can also manifest as fatigue during feeds, with the infant tiring easily, often resulting in a decreased interest in feeding and subsequent weight loss or stagnation in growth. In infants, this symptom may be one of the earliest indicators of underlying cardiac issues, making it essential for healthcare providers to closely monitor feeding behaviors and growth patterns.

Other symptoms, while they can be associated with congestive heart failure in some contexts, are generally not the primary indicators in infants. For example, excessive crying is more nonspecific and can result from many different issues, and while frequent infections may occur due to poor feeding and weak growth, they are not direct symptoms of heart failure. Cyanosis can occur but is often a late sign and does not consistently present in all cases of congestive heart failure.