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Living with Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia

A rare heart condition present from birth in which the right lower chamber of the heart is underdeveloped.

Understanding Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia

Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia is a rare heart condition in which the right ventricle, a lower pumping chamber, is underdeveloped from birth.

The heart also has an opening between the upper chambers, while the tricuspid and pulmonary valves are normally formed. Babies can have a bluish skin color (cyanosis) and heart failure. It is noticed in newborns and infants.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
  • Trouble breathing
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
  • Low blood oxygen
  • Hole between the upper heart chambers
  • Heart murmur

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include heart and blood vessel specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How is my baby's right ventricle working, and what tests will track it?
Which heart specialists should be part of our care team?
Would genetic counseling help us understand the chance for other children?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

GARD lists autosomal recessive inheritance, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of a gene from each parent. It does not name a gene or describe other causes.

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Isolated right ventricular hypoplasiaGARD ID 4721 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia.

Explore the Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia blog

Explore research for Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia

Explore actively recruiting Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Isolated right ventricular hypoplasia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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