When do symptoms of congenital heart disorders typically manifest?

Symptoms of congenital heart disorders typically manifest at birth, during infancy, or in childhood due to the intrinsic nature of these conditions. Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities present in the heart from birth, which can lead to immediate or early life symptoms. Some issues may be detectable at birth through examination or may become evident as the child grows and experiences increased physiological demands, particularly during periods of activity, feeding, or growth.

In contrast, other stages of life such as adolescence or early adulthood are less common for the first presentation of symptoms related to congenital heart disorders. While some heart conditions can progress and lead to symptoms later in life, the original structural problems usually arise much earlier. Physical activity can exacerbate symptoms but does not define when they first appear, as many congenital heart defects initially present with observable signs or symptoms regardless of activity level. Therefore, the correct understanding is that these symptoms are typically recognized much earlier in life, aligning with the first option.