Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients or parents of children with congenital heart defects may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about blue baby syndrome:

1. How soon after birth can blue baby syndrome appear?
   
   
2. What is the first step if my newborn exhibits blue baby syndrome?
   
   
3. What diagnostic tests will my baby given?
   
   
4. What is causing this condition in my baby?
   
   
5. Does my baby have more than one heart defect?
   
   
6. What are the treatment options for the heart defect(s)?
   
   
7. If surgery is necessary, what type will be performed?
   
   
8. Will the surgery need to be done immediately?
   
   
9. How soon will we see an improvement in my baby’s condition?
   
   
10. What will happen if the defect is not corrected?
    
    
11. What is my baby’s prognosis?
    
    
12. How will the defect and surgery affect my baby throughout life?
    
    
13. What symptoms indicate a medical emergency with this condition?
    
    
14. Am I at risk of having another baby with blue baby syndrome?
    
    
15. If this is a staged procedure, how and when will the later procedures be undertaken?
    
    
16. Are there family help groups in the area so that the parents may speak to other families with children with similar conditions?