Major defects may be life threatening after birth. Usually the newborn looks bluish or cold and lethargic after the 1st day of life. There is no interest in feeding and there is rapid breathing.
Babies with large holes in the heart get tired while breast feeding. This starts to happen usually after 1 month of age. They gasp for breaths and sweat in between feeds.
The weight gain of the baby falls below expected for age (GROWTH CHART).
The baby may get frequent cold and cough and pneumonias.
Some babies turn blue with crying or cold exposure or with exertion.
Older children get tired with exertion.