Ectopia Cordis

Ectopia cordis is a serious congenital birth defect that affects approximately 8 in 1 million births. The defect occurs during fetal development and a person with etopia cordis will have a misplaced heart.

The heart is generally in the chest cavity, but in an individual with ectopia cordis it can be found outside of the chest, in the neck or in the abdomen. The baby may have other disorders of defects such as a cleft palate, septal defect, and other organs on the outside of the skin, Trisomy 18 and Turner syndrome.

Generally the heart is underdeveloped and most babies that are born alive with this condition will die during their first few days. Stillbirth is common. Surgery is available for an infant that is thriving at birth, but will be very complicated and risky.