Affecting approximately one in every 125 babies born, congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect. Forty thousand people are born each year with a CHD; 4,000 will not survive their first year. Twice as many children die each year from a CHD than all forms of Pediatric Cancers combined. The eight most common defects account for 80% of all congenital heart diseases, while the remaining 20% consist of many independently infrequent conditions or combinations of several defects. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is generally considered to be the most common type of malformation, accounting for about 1/3 of all congenital heart defects.
Congenital Heart Defect; A Common Birth Defect
How to Tell If Your Child Has a Heart Defect?
Serious congenital heart defects are usually diagnosed in infancy, but significant defects may be found anytime during childhood, teenage years or even in adulthood.
If your child shows any of the following symptoms that are commonly related to congenital heart defects, please consult your paediatric cardiologist for a proper diagnostic evaluation.
These include:
• Breathing difficulties
• Poor weight gain
• Frequent chest infections
• Blueness of the fingers, lips and tongue (cyanosis)
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