Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a condition where a baby is born with a structural or functional problem in the heart. These defects develop during the early weeks of pregnancy, while the heart is forming, and may affect the heart’s walls, valves, or blood vessels.
CHD is the most common birth defect, affecting around 1 in every 100 babies. The severity varies widely—some conditions are mild and require monitoring, while others may need surgery or long-term medical care. With early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and ongoing support, many children with CHD can grow up to live healthy, active lives.
– Common signs in babies include rapid or laboured breathing, poor feeding, excessive sweating, bluish or pale skin, poor weight gain, and extreme tiredness.
– Children with CHD may tire easily, struggle to keep up with peers, experience shortness of breath, frequent chest infections, poor growth, or bluish skin during activity.
– CHD may be detected during pregnancy, often at the 12- or 20-week ultrasound scan. Some heart defects are only identified after birth or later in childhood.
– Early detection includes detailed prenatal ultrasounds, referral to a foetal assessment specialist, newborn pulse oximetry testing, and follow-up heart scans if concerns are identified.
– Ask whether all four chambers of the baby’s heart are visible, if blood flow appears normal, whether the major arteries are correctly positioned, and if any abnormalities are present.
– Most CHDs are not genetic and are not caused by anything a parent did. CHD can affect any family, even during a healthy pregnancy.
– With early diagnosis, proper treatment, and ongoing care, many children with CHD grow up to live full, active lives.
– You can support Heartkids SA by making a donation, volunteering your time, attending fundraising events, or helping spread awareness about congenital heart disease.