Most of kids born with moderate hereditary heart problems do not require surgical treatment. In such cases, as well as in the absence of hereditary problems or chromosomal anomalies, it is very unlikely to see unfavorable impacts on the child’s intellectual development.And heres an article about What are the most common challenges children with congenital heart disease face?


Video Transcript:

Children with congenital heart disease have a long road in front of them, and some of those challenges that they may face are known as no developmental delays or disorders.

Another developmental delay may be difficulties with language or with movements such as walking and climbing or some of the delays such as when they get to school age. Doing well in school, learning and things like that. Also, just as important, some of these children have trouble with an area called executive functioning, and this is the ability to make a plan and carry it out. These skills are very important, lifelong, and even if your child is very smart. If they struggle in the area of executive functioning, this can hamper their ability to do well in the long run.

And it is our job to help them overcome this or at least work with them so that they can live to their full potential. My name is Dr. Jan Bragg and I am an attending Neonatologist and the director of the You Follow program here at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or a member of my team if you have any additional questions or you would like to schedule a consultation.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

These Are the Most Common 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 of all congenital heart defects, according to the American Heart Association.
  2. Atrial septal defect.
  3. Single ventricle defects.
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United States, affecting nearly 1% (about 40,000) of births per year. CHDs are present at birth and they affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. About 1 in 4 babies born with a heart defect has a critical CHD.
There are many types of congenital heart defects. Some are simple, such as a hole in the septum. The hole allows blood from the left and right sides of the heart to mix. Another example of a simple defect is a narrowed valve that blocks blood flow to the lungs or other parts of the body.
Life expectancy with congestive heart failure varies depending on the severity of the condition, genetics, age, and other factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around one-half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive beyond five years.
Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when you exert yourself or when you lie down.
  • Fatigue and weakness.
  • Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Reduced ability to exercise.
  • Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm.
There is no cure for CHD. Many people have surgeries to repair their heart, however, they are not cured. There may be long-term effects of heart surgery, such as abnormal heartbeats.
Without treatment, critical CHDs can cause serious health problems and death. Nearly 1 in 100 babies (about 1 percent or 40,000 babies) is born with a heart defect in the United States each year. About 1 in 4 babies born with a heart defect (about 25 percent) has a critical CHD.
Choose fresh foods, including lean meats, fish, poultry, dry and fresh legumes (or rinsed canned beans), eggs, milk, yogurt, plain rice, pasta and oatmeal. Avoid using the salt shaker.
Perceived life expectancy and its correlates were examined among young adults and older adolescents with moderate or complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Patients expected to live to age 75 years. Over 85% of patients expected to live longer than our estimates of their life expectancy.
About congenital heart defects and this study

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. They are also the leading cause of infant death due to birth defects.

*The information above does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of a qualified attorney.