
These Are the Most Common Congenital Heart Defects
- Ventricular septal defect. Ventricular septal defect occurs in 2 to 7 percent of all live births and accounts for about 20 percent of all congenital heart defects, according to ...
- Atrial septal defect. Atrial septal defect is another common congenital heart defect. ...
- Tetralogy of Fallot. ...
- Single ventricle defects. ...
- Pulmonary valve stenosis. ...
What is the most common cause of congenital heart disease?
- Genetics. Congenital heart disease appears to run in families (inherited). ...
- German measles (rubella). Having rubella during pregnancy may affect how the baby's heart develops while in the womb.
- Diabetes. Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes during pregnancy also may affect a baby's heart development. ...
- Medications. ...
- Alcohol. ...
- Smoking. ...
What are the different types of congenital heart defects?
What are the different types of congenital heart defects?
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF)
- Coarctation of the aorta (CoA)
- Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
What are some symptoms of congenital heart defect?
Symptoms of congenital heart defects in infants and children include:
- cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, fingernails, and lips)
- respiratory distress
- poor feeding
- poor weight gain
- recurrent lung infections
- less ability to exercise or play actively compared to other children
What are the treatment options for congenital heart disease?
genetic testing – may be done if the healthcare team suspects a heart defect is related to a genetic condition. Treatment for congenital heart disease may include medications, surgery and other procedures, and lifestyle changes.

What are the 5 main types of congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart disease refers to a range of possible heart defects.Aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valve stenosis is a serious type of congenital heart defect. ... Coarctation of the aorta. ... Ebstein's anomaly. ... Patent ductus arteriosus. ... Pulmonary valve stenosis. ... Septal defects. ... Single ventricle defects. ... Tetralogy of Fallot.More items...
What are the types of congenital heart defects?
Specific Congenital Heart DefectsAtrial Septal Defect.Atrioventricular Septal Defect.Coarctation of the Aorta.Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.Pulmonary Atresia.Tetralogy of Fallot.Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return.Tricuspid Atresia.More items...
What is the most rare heart defect?
Truncus arteriosus is a rare type of heart disease that is present at birth (congenital) in which there is a single main blood vessel, rather than the normal two, carrying blood away from the heart.
What is the difference between congenital heart disease and congenital heart defect?
A heart defect is a problem in the heart's structure. Kids who have a heart defect were born with it. Heart defects are often called "congenital," which means "present at birth." Heart defects are also sometimes referred to as "congenital heart disease."
How many different types of CHD are there?
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What congenital heart abnormalities are the result of?
Some congenital heart defects are the result of alcohol or drug use during pregnancy. Most heart defects either cause an abnormal blood flow through the heart, or obstruct blood flow in the heart or vessels (obstructions are called stenoses and can occur in heart valves, arteries, or veins).
How long do babies with CHD live?
About 69% survived to 18 years of age. Survival for infants with a CCHD improved over time. From 1979-1993, about 67% of infants survived to one year of life. Because medical care and treatment have gotten better over time, from 1994-2005, about 83% of infants survived to one year of life.
What is a congenital hole in the heart called?
What is Atrial Septal Defect? An atrial septal defect is a birth defect of the heart in which there is a hole in the wall (septum) that divides the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. A hole can vary in size and may close on its own or may require surgery.
What percentage of congenital heart defects are born into adulthood?
More than 90 percent of infants born with a congenital heart defect live into adulthood in the current era, Van Bergen says. Here are eight of the most common types of congenital heart defects: 1. Ventricular septal defect. Ventricular septal defect occurs in 2 to 7 percent of all live births and accounts for about 20 percent ...
How many babies are born with congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth disorders in the United States, affecting nearly 1 percent of the annual births in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 40,000 babies are born with congenital heart disease annually; about a third of them will need surgery or other types ...
What is the name of the hole in the heart?
2. Atrial septal defect. Atrial septal defect is another common congenital heart defect. This condition is an abnormal hole between the upper two chambers of the heart, in the area known as the atria.
How do you treat single ventricle defects?
Treatment. All children with this condition will require a series of surgeries to ultimately reroute deoxygenated blood directly to the lungs. Thanks to improvements in treatments over the last 20 years or so, the long-term prognosis of patients with this condition has drastically improved, Holt says. This condition once had an early mortality rate of nearly 100 percent, but today more than 85 percent of infants with single ventricle defects live through kindergarten and beyond, he says. "The current thought process is that most patients with single ventricles will ultimately need mechanical assistance for their heart muscle or a transplant at some point in their life," Holt says. "The goal has been to extend that timing as much as possible."
When does aortic valve stenosis develop?
Congenital aortic valve stenosis typically develops during the mother's first eight weeks of pregnancy, according to Children's National Health System. This heart defect involves the aortic valve, which is one of the four major valves within the heart.
Why is my heart valve leaking?
Such increased pressure causes the muscle to become thickened, which isn't good for a heart over time. In addition, there is often leakiness of the valve due to the stiffer leaflets not coming together well. A leaky valve can cause the heart to dilate or enlarge, which is unhealthy for the heart.
How long does it take for a heart hole to be closed?
If the child develops heart failure, physicians conduct surgery to close the hole or holes. This usually occurs within the first four to six months of life for larger holes. Surgeons typically close such holes with a patch sewn into the right ventricular side of the heart muscle.
How many types of heart defects are there?
At least 18 distinct types of congenital heart defects are recognized, with many additional anatomic variations. Recent progress in diagnosis and treatment (surgery and heart catheterization) makes it possible to fix most defects, even those once thought to be hopeless.
What happens if a child has a heart defect?
If your child is born with a heart defect today, the chances are better than ever that the problem can be overcome and that a normal adult life will follow. As diagnosis and treatment continue to advance, scientists will develop better treatments for these and other defects. Your cardiologist will discuss your particular heart defect, treatment options and expected results.
What is the defect in the septum between the heart's two upper chambers?
This defect allows oxygen-rich blood to leak into the oxygen-poor blood chambers in the heart. ASD is a defect in the septum between the heart's two upper chambers (atria). The septum is a wall that separates the heart's left and right sides. More information about Atrial Septal Defect.
What are the problems with the heart?
A heart defect that features four problems. They are: a hole between the lower chambers of the heart. an obstruction from the heart to the lungs. The aorta (blood vessel) lies over over the hole in the lower chambers. The muscle surrounding the lower right chamber becomes overly thickened.
What is the term for an underdeveloped left side of the heart?
The chamber may be smaller, underdeveloped, or missing a valve. Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) — An underdeveloped left side of the heart. The aorta and left ventricle are too small and the holes in the artery and septum did not properly mature and close.
What is a thickened or fused heart valve?
A thickened or fused heart valve that does not fully open. The pulmonary valve allows blood to flow out of the heart, into the pulmonary artery and then to the lungs.
What is CAVC in medical terms?
Complete Atrioventricular Canal defect (CAVC) A large hole in center of the heart affecting all four chambers where they would normally be divided. When a heart is properly divided, the oxygen-rich blood from the lungs does not mix with the oxygen-poor blood from the body.
What is a congenital heart defect?
A congenital heart defect is a problem with your heart that you’re born with. They’re the most common kind of birth defect. There are many different types of congenital heart defects. Most affect the walls, valves, or blood vessels of your heart. Some are serious and may need several surgeries and treatments.
What are the defects in the heart valves?
Valves control the flow of blood through your heart’s ventricles and arteries. And some minor heart defects can involve the valves, including: Stenosis. When your valves become narrow or stiff, and won’t open or allow blood to pass easily. Regurgitation.
What is the most common valve defect in newborns?
Pulmonary valve stenosis. This is the most common valve defect in newborns. Babies with severe cases often have strained right ventricles. Your doctor can usually treat it with a catheter procedure. They will use a catheter, or thin tube, with a balloon on the end to inflate and stretch open the strained valve.
What is the most serious septal defect?
This is the most serious septal defect. It’s when you have a hole in your heart that affects all four chambers. A CAVC prevents oxygen-rich blood from going to the right places in your body. Your doctor can repair it with patches.
Why does my baby's right ventricle not work?
Their blood still flows normally, but over time, their right ventricle doesn’t work as well because it must pump harder. d-transposition of the great arteries. In this condition, the two main arteries of your baby’s heart are reversed.
What happens when your heart valve isn't formed right?
Atresia. This happens when your valve isn't formed right or has no opening to let your blood pass through. It causes more complicated heart problems.
What is the term for a baby born with one major artery?
Truncus arteriosus. This is when your baby is born with one major artery instead of two that carry blood to the rest of their body. They will need surgery as an infant to repair the defect, and may need more procedures later in life. Transposition of the great arteries.
What is the most common birth defect?
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common types of birth defects, and babies born with these conditions are living longer and healthier lives. Find more statistics about CHDs below.
What are the special needs of children with a heart condition?
Compared to children without a heart condition, children with a heart condition were more likely to have special healthcare needs, including medication needs, physical or speech therapy, and treatment for developmental or behavioral problems.
How old do babies with CHDs live?
About 69% of babies born with critical CHDs are expected to survive to 18 years of age. Survival and medical care for babies with critical CHDs are improving.
How old do non-critical CHD babies live?
About 95% of babies born with a non-critical CHD are expected to survive to 18 years of age. Thus, the population of people with CHDs is growing.
What causes infant death?
Infant Death Due to Heart Defects. Congenital heart defects are conditions present at birth that can affect the way the heart works. They can cause lifelong disability or death. They are the most common type of birth defect, affecting nearly 40,000 births in the United States each year.
How much more likely are children with CHD to receive special education services than children without birth defects?
Children with CHD are about 50% more likely to receive special education services compared to children without birth defects. 10. The occurrence and severity of a developmental disability or delay increases with how complex the heart defect is.
Is diabetes a congenital heart defect?
In a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, women with diabetes before pregnancy were about 4 times more likely to have a pregnancy affected by a congenital heart defect compared to women without diabetes.
