Congenital heart defects or disease in children
Heart disease in infants, children and adolescents is described as a large and under-appreciated public health problem by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Diseases range from congenital structural defects present at birth to genetic abnormalities of the heart muscle and conduction system, acquired heart diseases, and adult diseases that begin in childhood.
Children may be born with heart disease or may acquire it, for example, in association with other illnesses. The morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions are significant. Because of the remarkable innovations made in medical and surgical therapy, many pediatric patients with cardiovascular disease now survive into adulthood.
More than 1 million adults are alive today who had a heart defect repaired during childhood. Unfortunately, the incidence of residual disease is relatively high.
In the United States, congenital cardiovascular malformations (CCVMs) are the most common birth defect. CCVMs arise in utero during development of the embryo. They affect one in every 100 U.S. infants born each year. Many of these infants need intervention, by catheter or surgically, during their fist weeks of life, and they will need additional procedures as they grow.
Most of the procedures are palliative (serving to lessen pain) rather than curative, and many of the children need to be closely followed medically to minimize complications. As many as one-third of children with CCVMs also have congenital or acquired conditions that affect their kidneys, brain, digestive system, lungs, bones, immune system and other organs. These additional problems complicate their care further.
Learn more about advances in pediatric cardiology with Jeanine Swenson, M.D., of Advanced Healthcare.
