THE FACTS
An estimated 40,000 babies are born with CHD's
in the United States each year.
That is approximately one in every 100-125 babies.
CHD's occur when a baby's heart fails to form properly during pregnancy.
In most cases the cause is unknown.
CHD's are the leading cause of birth defect related deaths.
CHD's occur more often than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome,
cleft palate or hearing loss.
CHD's kill twice as many children as childhood cancer...
yet funding for cancer research is five times higher.
The American Heart Association directs $0.30 of every dollar donated toward research. The remainder goes toward administration, education and fundraising effots.
Of the $0.30 that goes toward research,
only $0.01 goes toward pediatric cardiology for CHD research.
(Source: Children's Heart Foundation)
Although some babies will be diagnosed at birth,
newborns are not routinely screened for CHD's.
Pregnant women are not routinely tested for CHD's.
There are approximately 35 different types of CHD's.
Many children have complex combinations of these CHD's.
Some CHD's may be treated with 1 or more surgeries, medicine,
and/or devices, including artificial valves and pacemakers.
Several CHD's cause cyanosis, or a low oxygen saturation in the blood.
Many babies and kids with CHD's will develop
one or more complications including:
GI tract issues, oral aversions and other feeding disorders, feeding tubes
strokes, seizures, clotting disorders, need for tracheostomy,
developmental delays and more
Many babies and kids with CHD's will develop
one or more complications including:
GI tract issues, oral aversions and other feeding disorders, feeding tubes
strokes, seizures, clotting disorders, need for tracheostomy,
developmental delays and more
Up to1.3 million Americans alive today have CHD's.
Many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes are caused by undiagnosed CHD's and childhood-onset heart disease.
Early detection is critical to the successful treatment of CHD's.
Some heart defects can be detected by a routine ultrasound.
The most effective prenatal test is an echocardiogram performed by a pediatric cardiologist.
Many CHD's can be detected shortly after birth with the use of a pulse oximeter which tests the oxygen saturation in the blood. This test is quick, painless and inexpensive. While most hospitals already have the necessary equipment, this test is not yet part of the mandatory newborn screening panel.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Parents should be alert to the following symptoms in infancy:
Tires easily during feeding (i.e. falls asleep before the feeding finishes.)
Sweating around the head, especially during feeding
Fast breathing when at rest or asleep
pale or bluish skin color
Poor weight gain
Sleeps a lot-not playful or curious for any length of time
Puffy face, hands, and/or feet
Often irritable, difficult to console
Some children with CHD's may not have any symptoms until later in childhood.
Things to look for include:
Gets out of breath during play
Difficulty "keeping up" with playmates
Tires easily/sleeps a lot
Change in color during active play or sports
(looks pale or has a bluish tint around the mouth and nose)
Frequent colds and respiratory illnesses
Slow growth and weight gain/poor appetite
Complains of chest pain and/or heart pounding
