Though rare, coronary fistula can develop while a baby is in the womb, as well as after birth. In the womb during development, the coronary artery may incorrectly attach to one of the chambers of the heart or a blood vessel. After birth, your child can form a coronary artery fistula resulting from an infection that has weakened the wall between the heart and the coronary artery, or as a result of an injury to the heart itself.
A child may not show any signs of a coronary fistula. If there are signs, it may include fatigue, failure to thrive, irregular heartbeat, or shortness of breath. The only sure way to determine the presence of the condition is by an X-ray of the heart, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and rarely cardiac catheterization.
A small fistula may close spontaneously; however, if the fistula is large your doctor may recommend pediatric heart surgery or use of a catheter, which can effectively close the fistula.