Congenital-Heart-Defect (Birth defects & disorders)

Approximately 35,000 babies are born with some form of a heart defect every year and more babies will die during their first year of life from a heart defect than any other reason. The heart begins forming and developing very early in fetal development, usually before a woman realizes that she has conceived.

A congenital heart defect is a problem within the heart that is present at birth. Congenital heart defects occur early on in pregnancy when the heart is forming. A heart defect can sometimes be diagnosed on a prenatal ultrasound. However, some children are not diagnosed with it until other symptoms arise.

Treatment involves medication and surgery.

Comments: Congenital-Heart-Defect

Comments 1 to 12 of about 12.

megam - 24 days ago.
my son was born with a stenosis of the left aortic valve. He is 6 months and so far, they have not had to do anything for him. He is wonderful, developing just as he should be. Does anyone else's baby have this?

RobinG - 30 days ago.
There is a risk of a misscarriage with an amnio, ~ even if it is only 1 % that is still a risk and being only 19 weeks if you did go into labor your baby is at risk. I know some who do want it but wait til the baby could survive should labor occur ~ I think in your heart you need to ask yourself if there are more defects and the baby can survive will you terminate, if there are more defects and baby will not survive will you allow your baby to be born when labor occurs and see what happens ~ whether to have an amnio really depends on what you will do with the information they give you ~ I care for a specials needs boy who has Velo Cardio Facial Syndrome ~ he has had two major openheart surgeries and lung surgery and therapy ~ he was given a 30% chance of success in surgery and only 9 months to live ~ he is 4 years old now and such a blessing :) I talked to many about why some consider terminating when there is a problem and many say they would still let nature take its course which ever direction it went ~ Only you can answer that question. If you dont want to terminate and do want to know I'd ask to wait til at least 28 weeks. And consider more involved scans with a specialist ~ ((())) hugs ~ my doc wanted me to have an amnio ~ I was 40 when Hunter was born I refused. I wouldnt terminate even if there was a concern so I saw no reason for it ~ I just insisted on the best scans I could get and the papp-a test which looks for chromosome abnormalities :).

LEESAB - 31 days ago.
Hi all, Im 19 weeks and have just found out my baby girl has a heart defect, my doctor suggested that I should have an amniocentisis to see if there are and other defects, Im not sure wether to have this or not. Has anyone has one and could you let me know what happened. I really need some advice.

Ethansmom08 - 31 days ago.
I gave birth to a full term baby boy who had HLHS in February of this year. If anyone has any questions about HLHS, I would love to talk. I am still trying to get over the shock and horror of what we went through. Please send me a message if I can be of help to anyone.

2wonderfulgirls - 35 days ago.
HI everyone , we have a baby due in August that has multiple heart ploblems. Two VSD's , hypoplastic left heart syndrome, coarctation of the aorta, and possible valve problems. Would love someone to talk too.

RobinG - 60 days ago.
((((((())))))) My hugs and prayers to you ~ let us know how things go.

My is 12.5 he had an echo and EKG ~ they were ruling out Marfan Syndrome ~ We know he has a pin hole in his heart (murmur) but we were also told that instead of one ventrical coming from each chamber there are two coming from one but they go to the appropriate place and it is considered a 'variation of the norm' Just for my own peace of mind I wondered if anyone else had this told to them and if doc is right that he is fine with it ~

ashleighr - 63 days ago.
i just found out that my baby girl is going to be born with CHD and i am so sccared and i didnt get the amnio test done but i am soo scared this is my first baby and i dont want to loose her i love her soo much already my husban is soo sad about the whole thing and i just want her to be okay if anyone has any storys to help me out let me know cause i am 23 weeks pregnant and soo scared about looseing her

carmanashley - 65 days ago.
Hello all! My son Xander was born with multiple chd's, Ventricular septal defect, Atrial septal defect, Trasposition of the great arteries, double outlet right ventrical, pulmonory valve stinosis, sub pulmonory stinosis. He had his first heart surgery at 4weeks old for a bt shunt and then his OHS (Bi-directional Glenn) November 14, 2007, he went back into the hospital in Feb 08 for Chylothorax and was there for 2 more weeks with chest tubes. He is now home and 18 months old, he is 19lb and almost 30in, he is doing well and only has to be on oxygen at night, he is on a ton of diuretics and other meds for his heart but doing really well! If you have any questions feel free to pm me, we still have to go through the fontain surgery in another 18-24months but for now we are done with surgeries.

isaiahsmommy+1 - 77 days ago.
i am 28.5 weeks pregnant and just found out that my baby girl will be born with half a heart. it is called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. anyone with info please let me know, i am so scared

justkelly1976 - 77 days ago.
I have 2 sons, both were born with CHD. My eight-year old has Tetralogy of Fallot, my 5 year old has Pulmonary Atresia. Both were repaired with open heart surgeries and are fine now. Any questions please feel free to contact me.

carlybarleyx - 91 days ago.
Hi I just thought I'd say hi! My 4 year old was born with Tetrallogy of fallots which is a rare COD, she had to have open heart surgery at 6 weeks, 1 year and 3 years old but she is absolutley fine now. Her heart condition doesnt hold her back doing anything. I hope your little girl is doing just as well. xxx

seguin - 97 days ago.
My daughter was born a day before her due date and we were told she had a heart murmur and that she'd grow out of it. When she was 9 weeks old she was rushed into the ER due to she kept going limp and not breathing right. They brought her in with me by her side and her heart rate they told me was deadly to and adult at 260. Her rapid heart rate and continuing attacks sent us to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. At 9 weeks old she had heart surgery to repair her closing arotic valve. She still has heart issues but they said she is doing great now (everything is almost healed) and she must stay on medications due to she has hypertension (high blood pressure). She is now almost 11 months old and doing great. She is my little angel. (My VIP name is Seguin)

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