Paediatricians who specialise in paediatric cardiology deal with diseases that affect the heart and circulatory system of children of all ages, from newborns through to adolescents. The prerequisite for gaining a specialisation in paediatric cardiology is a qualification in paediatrics.
Holders of this specialisation have in-depth knowledge and skills in preventing, detecting and treating cardiovascular disease in children. They treat children with congenital heart defects and acquired heart diseases. These include cardiac wall defects, heart valve disease, cardiac arrhythmia and vascular malformations, for example. Paediatric cardiologists carry out specific heart examinations on children and adolescents. These can include an ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography), an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a stress test.
They also collaborate closely with other specialists from adult medicine such as cardiologists and heart surgeons, depending on the disease.