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Nobody in that delivery room hands you a guide for this. You’re still figuring out feeding and sleep and then someone says your baby has a hole in the heart. Just like that. It’s a gap between heart chambers that genuinely shouldn’t be sitting there. Some gaps seal up without anyone doing a thing. Others don’t budge. And how much trouble it causes your baby comes down entirely to where that hole is, what size it grew to and what it’s been silently doing to that little heart since before you even knew about it.

“A hole in the heart isn’t always an emergency but it’s never something to watch from a distance without a proper evaluation first,” says Dr. Prashant Bobhate, Pediatric Cardiologist in Mumbai, India.

This isn’t one thing with one name. That’s the first thing worth knowing. Different holes. Different spots inside the heart. Different amounts of serious. A baby can go home and never need a procedure their whole life.

• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): Most common one doctors see, found between the lower chambers, and genuinely quite a few small ones just close by themselves over the first year with zero intervention from anyone.
• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): This one is a quiet hider. It sits between the upper chambers and can go completely undetected for years because nothing in the early stages points anyone toward thinking heart.
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): A vessel that was supposed to close itself down right after birth just didn’t do it and has been sending blood the wrong direction through your baby’s body from day one without anyone catching on.
• Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD): Upper and lower chambers hit at the same time, crops up more in babies born with Down syndrome, and honestly it nearly always needs surgical repair at some stage.

What type it is, exactly where it lives and what extra work it’s piling onto the heart all feed into the right congenital heart disease treatment decision for your specific child.

Weeks go by sometimes. Months even. And parents are still putting it down to a difficult phase or a fussy feeder or just one of those things. 

• Breathing that looks like genuine hard work: Chest visibly caving in during feeds or breathing way too fast while resting quietly means the heart and lungs aren’t coping the way they should be at this age.
• Every feed stops halfway and the weight just isn’t going up: Your baby quits before the feed’s done every single time and still isn’t growing. That’s a pattern. Patterns have reasons. This one’s worth finding out.
• Blue tint sitting around the lips or fingers: That colour on a baby isn’t normal and it isn’t something to watch from home for another few weeks. It means blood oxygen is low and that needs looking at today not later.
• Same chest infection rolling back in before the last one finished: A hole letting blood into the lungs builds the exact warm wet environment where infections move in, get comfortable and just keep returning no matter what treatment you throw at them.

Parents already watching some of this play out with their own baby should read this piece on how to spot the early signs of heart disease in neonates which goes through what these signs genuinely look like in real life during those first few weeks at home

You don’t want someone who treats your baby like a case number on a list. Dr. Prashant Bobhate is the kind of doctor who actually sits down with you, talks through what’s happening in real language and builds something around your child’s actual situation not a textbook version of it. He trained at Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi then made a deliberate choice to go to the University of Alberta in Canada specifically to go deeper into this field. His team carried out India’s very first successful Transcatheter Potts Shunt and right now looks after over 400 children on advanced therapy.

📞 Call Now: (+91) 8080 826 898 

• Congenital Heart Defects, American Heart Association — https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects
• Ventricular Septal Defect, Mayo Clinic — https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ventricular-septal-defect/symptoms-causes/syc-20353495

In most cases of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a left-sided heart disease (for example, heart failure or valve disease) presently exists. With this overworking of the right side of the heart to push blood through the lungs, pulmonary artery pressure is elevated.

“Pulmonary hypertension in children is almost always linked to an underlying cause. Find the cause, treat it correctly and you give that child a genuinely better future,” says Dr. Prashant Bobhate, Pediatric Cardiologist in Mumbai, India.

Here’s what most families never get explained properly in that first consultation. Pulmonary hypertension doesn’t just decide to show up one morning. Something brought it there. Something that was already quietly happening in the background while life carried on completely normally around it.

• Congenital heart disease: A structural defect your child was born with is the single biggest driver of pulmonary hypertension in kids and it walks into specialist clinics far more often than any family sitting in that waiting room ever expected it would when they first arrived.
• Chronic lung conditions: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia just chips away at the lung arteries quietly and steadily every single day until blood pressure crosses a line it was never supposed to cross and doesn’t easily come back down from.
• Connective tissue disorders: Lupus, scleroderma, things in that family silently eat through pulmonary blood vessel walls for months sometimes before anyone starts connecting those dots to what’s actually happening with the pressure readings.
• Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: No reason. No cause anyone can point to. The pressure just keeps climbing on its own and that’s genuinely the version of this that keeps specialists up at night because there’s nothing obvious to go after and fix.

Nearly 40% of childhood pulmonary hypertension traces straight back to congenital heart disease and catching that connection early is honestly what rewrites how the rest of this whole story goes.

Nobody wants to read this part. But here it is anyway because you came here wanting the real answer not a softened version of it. The cause doesn’t sit quietly and wait for you to get around to dealing with it. It keeps doing what it’s doing. 

• Right heart breaks down quietly: Beat after beat that right heart keeps pushing against pressure it was never meant to handle and one day it just runs out of road completely and by then the damage has usually been building far longer than anyone realised.
• Physical life shrinks week by week: What started as getting winded on stairs becomes getting winded sitting still and that progression doesn’t pause for anyone while nothing’s being done to slow it down.
• Oxygen crashes arrive without warning: Mid-meal, mid-sleep, mid-playing in the garden and they don’t knock before they come in and they can go from worrying to genuinely frightening faster than anyone sitting nearby is prepared for.
• Other organs start paying quietly too: Kidneys, liver, everything downstream of a heart that’s struggling to circulate properly starts accumulating damage that doesn’t always fully reverse even when the right treatment finally arrives later.

Parents or adults already watching this unfold should read this piece on when is lung transplant necessary for pulmonary hypertension which goes through honestly what happens when pulmonary hypertension progresses and what the options look like at each stage of that road.

Finding the cause isn’t something you want left to someone who sees this a handful of times a year and figures it out carefully as they go. Dr. Prashant Bobhate didn’t stumble into this area. He chose it deliberately and spent over 12 years going deeper into pulmonary hypertension than most cardiologists in India ever have. Trained at Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi then made a specific trip to the University of Alberta in Canada just for advanced pulmonary hypertension fellowship training.

📞 Call Now: (+91) 8080 826 898 

• Pulmonary Hypertension Overview, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — https://medlineplus.gov/pulmonaryhypertension.html
• Pulmonary Hypertension Causes, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute — https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pulmonary-arterial-hypertension/causes

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) consist of structural defects of the heart which exist at birth and affect approximately one in every 100 newborns. These defects occur when the heart or blood vessels fail to develop completely during the gestation process. There is a wide variety of CHD, from small defects that require monitoring to larger, life-threatening disease. Treatment can include careful monitoring, medications, and surgical intervention.

“Most children with congenital heart disease can live full healthy lives when the condition is caught early and managed with the right plan from the start,” says Dr. Prashant Bobhate, Pediatric Cardiologist in Mumbai, India.

This isn’t one condition wearing one face. It’s a whole group of structural problems each sitting in a different part of the heart each doing completely different things to blood flow and oxygen delivery.

• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole between the lower chambers letting blood go places it really shouldn’t and while smaller ones sometimes close on their own bigger ones silently pile pressure onto a heart that’s still learning how to work properly.
• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): Opening between the upper chambers that is genuinely excellent at hiding because the early signs look like absolutely nothing worrying for a very long time and most families have no idea it’s there.
• Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF): Four separate problems hitting the heart simultaneously, oxygen in the blood drops and the skin takes on that bluish colour that stops parents cold the very first time they see it on their own child’s face.
• Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA): The two main arteries have swapped positions completely and this one doesn’t wait around because it becomes life threatening within the first hours if nobody’s caught it yet.

What type it is, where exactly it sits and what it’s doing to blood flow moment to moment all feed into the right congenital heart disease treatment path for your child specifically.

Weeks go by sometimes. Months even. Because this doesn’t show up wearing a sign. It shows up wearing the face of a tired baby or a child who just seems flat or a kid who always needs to sit down before everyone else does.

• Breathlessness doing almost nothing: A child struggling to breathe through things other kids their age breeze through without noticing is showing you something that deserves actual investigation rather than watching and hoping it settles on its own.
• That bluish tint around lips or fingernails: Wrong colour for a child full stop and it means not enough oxygen is making it into the blood which isn’t a watch and see situation from the sofa under any circumstances.
• Feeding feels like a marathon and weight just isn’t happening: A baby who exhausts themselves trying to get through a feed and still isn’t growing the way the charts say they should has something going on that needs a proper cardiac look not a formula change.
• Always the tired one, always the one who can’t keep up: If your child is consistently the kid sitting out, crashing early and running on empty while everyone else is still going that pattern is worth chasing down properly.

Parents already watching some of this unfold with their own child should read this piece on how to spot the early signs of heart disease in neonates which goes through what these signs genuinely look like during those first weeks when everything still feels new and uncertain.

Your child’s heart isn’t the place for someone who dips into this occasionally between other work. Dr. Prashant Bobhate spent over 12 years going deep into specifically this area. Trained at Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi then made a deliberate trip to the University of Alberta in Canada just to go further into it. His team carried out India’s very first successful Transcatheter Potts Shunt and right now actively manages over 400 children on advanced therapy. He doesn’t reach for a standard protocol. He sits with what’s actually happening inside your child’s heart and builds entirely from there.

📞 Call Now: (+91) 8080 826 898 

• Congenital Heart Defects, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — https://medlineplus.gov/congenitalheartdefects.html
• Congenital Heart Disease in Children, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute — https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/congenital-heart-defects

2025 marks a transformative year in the field of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment in India. For those living with this debilitating condition, hope has always been a distant dream. However, the availability of sotatercept—a groundbreaking biologic therapy—has breathed new life into the PAH field. As one of the first institutions to introduce sotatercept for PAH patients in India, we’ve witnessed some of the most remarkable clinical improvements that highlight not just the potential of the drug, but also the resilience and courage of the patients and caregivers who inspire us every day.

Dr. Prashant Bobhate, a highly experienced pulmonary hypertension specialist in Mumbai, India, has been at the forefront of this clinical innovation. Sotatercept, which has already shown significant promise in global clinical trials, is now delivering real-world results that are hard to ignore. This blog outlines the early experience of sotatercept use for the first four PAH patients in India, and the profound impact it has had on their quality of life.

• Limited Access to Therapy: Parenteral prostanoids, key for high-risk cases, are not widely available in India.
• Financial and Logistical Barriers: Long-term treatments like subcutaneous or intravenous therapy are difficult for many patients outside major cities

Given these challenges, sotatercept’s subcutaneous dosing every three weeks offers a practical advantage, making it easier for patients to manage their treatment while potentially reducing the need for more intensive therapies. Dr. Prashant Bobhate, Pediatric Cardiologist in Mumbai, emphasizes the need for accessible treatment options, particularly in underserved areas, where patients face greater hurdles in managing their condition.

In this section, we highlight the first four cases of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) treated with sotatercept (brand name Winrevair) at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. These patients under the care of Dr Prashant Bobhate were suffering from severe PAH. Importantly, three of the patients were totally dependent on their wheelchairs at the time of the first visit. After continuing the treatment for over six months, the patients exhibited remarkable improvement that was comparable to the outcomes of the global STELLAR trial. This local experience highlights the high efficacy of sotatercept in bringing a positive change to the lives of patients with advanced PAH.

At Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, our journey with sotatercept is just one part of a larger commitment to improving outcomes for PAH patients in India. Led by Dr. Prashant Bobhate, a renowned Pediatric Cardiologist in Mumbai, we are pushing the boundaries of PAH research and collaboration:

• Digital Stethoscope and AI-based Early Detection: We are developing innovative tools for early diagnosis of CHD and PAH using advanced digital stethoscopes and AI technologies to detect cardiovascular anomalies at the earliest stages, leading to better outcomes.

• Multicenter Yoga Study: Initiated with 35 patients, this study focuses on the potential of yoga as an adjunct to traditional PAH treatments, helping patients improve functional capacity and quality of life.

• ICMR-Recognized Centre of Excellence for PAH: Our institution is actively participating in three national clinical studies to further understand PAH and its treatment in the Indian context.

These initiatives, combined with the positive clinical outcomes from sotatercept therapy, underscore the transformative changes happening in PAH care in India. We are not only providing better treatments but also striving to make early detection and holistic care a reality for all patients.

Sotatercept is redefining the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in India. Early experiences, including four patients at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, show significant improvements in functional capacity, haemodynamics, and disease risk profile, aligning with global trial results.

For Indian clinicians, sotatercept represents a shift from vasodilatory management to disease modification, especially for patients with CTD-PAH and limited access to parenteral alternatives. As access expands and more real-world data is collected, larger registries will help assess its performance in India’s unique patient population.

2025 marks a hopeful year for PAH care in India, with sotatercept leading the way in changing the treatment landscape and improving patient outcomes across the country.

• Hoeper MM, et a1. STELLAR Trial. NEJM, 2023.
• Rajagopal S, et a1. PULSAR Trial. NEJM Evidence, 2021.
• HYPERION Trial. New England Journal ofMedicine, September 2025.
• Mantoo MR, Majeed MW, Roy A. Efficacy and safety of sotatercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian Heart Journal, January 2026.
• Gomez Rojas O, et a1. Real-world performance of sotatercept in PAH with cardiopulmonary comorbidities. Pulmonary Circulation, 2025.

With over 12 years of experience in his field, Dr. Bobhate specializes in the management of pediatric heart failure in Mumbai, combining cutting-edge diagnostics with personalized treatment plans to ensure the best care for children at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. He is well-versed in dealing with both congenital and acquired conditions of the heart and is thus a professional of high repute for managing infant heart failure.

Wondering what pediatric heart failure is and how it affects children? Here’s an overview of this serious condition.

Pediatric heart failure occurs when a child’s heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to insufficient blood flow to organs and tissues. It can be caused by congenital heart defects, infection, cardiomyopathy, or other heart-related conditions. Symptoms of pediatric heart failure can vary but often include fatigue, rapid breathing, and swelling. Timely intervention is crucial, as untreated heart failure can lead to long-term complications or even life-threatening conditions.

How to spot the early signs of pediatric heart failure? Let’s explore the top warning signs you should look out for in your child.

Unexplained fatigue and weakness are some of the first signs of pediatric heart failure. When the body’s organs are not receiving oxygen and nutrients due to poor blood flow, symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and low energy can occur. Children may have difficulty engaging in play or sports due to extreme tiredness.

Rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing, is a hallmark symptom of heart failure in children. When the heart is not pumping blood properly, fluid can accumulate in the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties. This may be accompanied by shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or while lying down. Babies may show signs of labored breathing or irregular chest movements.

If the heart fails to pump the blood properly, it results in the accumulation of fluids within the body and hence it causes swelling, especially in the lower limbs, abdomen or face. This is known as edema and can be a sign of heart failure’s progression. Swelling around the abdomen may also cause discomfort and difficulty in feeding, particularly in infants.

In infants and toddlers, poor feeding and poor weight gain are common indicators that may be seen in cases of heart failure. Inability to pump blood by the heart implies that less blood reaches the digestive tract. Children with heart failure may tire easily when being fed. They fail to gain proper nutrition.

Fluid accumulation in the lungs in children with heart failure can cause coughing or wheezing. Fluid accumulation within the tissues of the lungs happens when the pumping function of the heart is compromised. The cough, in most cases, is dry, persistent, and exacerbated when one is physically active or when sleeping.

Unsure how pediatric cardiologists diagnose heart failure in children? Let’s dive into the diagnostic process and the tests involved.

Wondering how pediatric heart failure is treated? Here are the treatment options that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

• Medications

Medications like diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers help reduce fluid buildup, lower blood pressure, and improve heart function.

• Lifestyle Modifications

A balanced diet, managing salt intake, and adequate rest are necessary for managing heart failure in children.

• Cardiac Surgery or Interventions

In severe cases, surgical interventions or catheter-based procedures may be needed to correct congenital heart defects or improve heart function.

• Cardiac Rehabilitation

After stabilization, children may benefit from a rehabilitation program to improve heart strength and endurance.

Recognizing the warning signs of pediatric heart failure early can make all the difference. Timely intervention, appropriate treatment, and ongoing care are crucial to improving outcomes and ensuring a better quality of life. Dr. Prashant Bobhate’s approach combines advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and compassionate care to help children with heart failure live healthier, more active lives.