What condition is likely in an infant showing signs of increased respiratory effort and a hyperactive precordium?

In an infant exhibiting increased respiratory effort and a hyperactive precordium, the likelihood of an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) can be attributed to the unique hemodynamic changes it causes. An ASD allows for shunting of blood between the left and right atria, leading to increased blood flow to the lungs. This increased pulmonary circulation can manifest as respiratory distress in infants, demonstrating increased respiratory effort.

Additionally, a hyperactive precordium refers to the heightened activity or movement of the heart, often observed through the chest wall. This can result from the additional workload placed on the heart due to the increased volume returning from the lungs as a consequence of the left-to-right shunt that occurs with ASD. An infant may also show other signs such as tachycardia or a noticeable bounding pulse consistent with the altered hemodynamics caused by the shunting.

In contrast, while conditions like pulmonary vasculopathy or aortic coarctation might also present with some respiratory symptoms, they typically involve different pathophysiological mechanisms. Pulmonary vasculopathy could lead to other respiratory issues, but it does not specifically account for the combination of increased respiratory effort and hyperactivity of the precordium. Aortic coar