Which symptom is commonly associated with a cyanotic congenital heart defect?

The symptom of poor feeding with no or very poor weight gain is often associated with cyanotic congenital heart defects due to the body's struggle to adequately oxygenate tissues. In these conditions, the heart cannot effectively circulate oxygen-rich blood, leading to systemic oxygen deprivation. Consequently, infants may become fatigued quickly while feeding, as they expend more energy than they are able to gain. This can result in decreased appetite, difficulty in latching, and overall poor feeding. Since adequate nutrition is crucial for growth and development, the inability to gain weight is a significant concern in patients with cyanotic heart defects.

In contrast, while clubbing of the fingers and swelling of the feet can be observed in some chronic conditions, it is not specific to cyanotic congenital heart defects. Increased crying with increased physical activity might reflect discomfort or respiratory distress, but it is not a hallmark symptom. Warm, pink, dry skin indicates adequate perfusion and oxygenation, which is not typically the case in cyanotic heart defects. Hence, the chosen symptom aligns closely with the physiological impacts of poor oxygenation associated with these congenital heart defects.