Mitral Atresia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 2, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Mitral Atresia?
A pediatric cardiologist usually leads the care of a child with mitral atresia, and heart surgeons perform the operations. A primary care doctor helps with everyday health and coordinates with the heart team. Adults treated as children see an adult congenital heart disease specialist.
What it is
Mitral atresia is a rare heart problem that babies are born with. The mitral valve lets blood flow from one pumping chamber to another. In mitral atresia, that valve never formed, so the heart must find other routes to move blood to the body. These routes often do not work well on their own.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually show up within the first days of life. A baby may breathe fast or have trouble breathing. The skin, lips, or nails may look bluish or gray because the blood is not carrying enough oxygen. Without treatment, these problems get worse quickly.
Causes and who gets it
Mitral atresia happens while the heart is forming before birth. Doctors do not know the exact cause in most cases. It often occurs along with other heart defects, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, where the left side of the heart is too small. Most babies with it have no family history.
How doctors diagnose it
Many cases are found before birth during a routine pregnancy ultrasound. If a newborn shows signs, doctors use an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, to see the valves and chambers. Other tests may include an electrocardiogram, a chest X-ray, or a cardiac catheterization.
Treatment
Treatment almost always means surgery or a series of surgeries. Soon after birth, a baby usually needs medicine to keep a certain blood vessel open so blood can reach the body. Surgeons then perform operations to reroute the blood flow, sometimes several over the first few years. Many children need lifelong checkups with a heart specialist.
When to see a doctor
If a newborn is breathing fast, looks blue or gray, feeds poorly, or seems unusually sleepy, get emergency medical care right away. If a pregnancy ultrasound showed a heart defect, the baby should be delivered at a hospital with a heart team ready.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a helpful home base for families. Direct primary care means the patient pays a flat monthly fee instead of using insurance; concierge medicine is similar but usually costs more. These doctors can handle routine care but cannot perform heart surgery or replace a pediatric cardiologist.
Common questions
Can mitral atresia be cured?
Surgery can reroute blood flow so the heart and body can work. But the missing valve does not grow back. Most children need lifelong care from a heart specialist. Outcomes differ from child to child.
Can it be found before birth?
Yes, often. A routine pregnancy ultrasound can show signs of the defect. A fetal echocardiogram can confirm it. Finding it early lets the medical team plan for the baby's delivery and care.
Will my child live a normal life?
Many children who have surgery go to school, play, and grow up. Results differ from person to person. Most need regular heart checkups for life. Some may need limits on certain activities. The heart specialist will discuss this.
Why does the baby look blue?
Blue or gray skin happens when blood low in oxygen reaches the skin. In mitral atresia, the heart cannot move blood the normal way. Oxygen-poor blood mixes with oxygen-rich blood. This is called cyanosis.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Congenital Heart Disease
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center - Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
