One in 125 babies born in the United States will have a congenital heart defect, according to the March of Dimes.  A congenital heart defect is a problem that occurred as the baby’s heart was developing during the first eight weeks of pregnancy.  As the heart develops within those first crucial weeks, there are many steps that must take place in order for the heart to form correctly.  When one of these steps does not occur at the right time, a congenital heart defect can be formed. 

Congenital heart problems can range from simple to complex.  Some of the simple congenital defects will not require treatment.  The baby can be observed by doctors while the baby “grows out” of some of the simpler heart problems.  Other more complex heart defects will require surgery sometimes within hours of baby’s birth.  In some cases, a baby will have a combination of congenital heart defects and require several surgeries throughout their lives.

The number of adults with congenital heart disease is now greater than the number of babies born with congenital heart disease as a result of the many advances in diagnostic procedures and treatment interventions that have been made in the past 50 years.

In recent years, operatively treating congenital atrial fibrillation (Maze procedure), repairing the Ebstein anomaly and methods for reducing blood loss in infants undergoing heart surgery have been introduced.  Such procedures have undoubtedly saved many lives.  New and earlier testing has also been introduced, including prenatal testing for long QT syndrome.  This and other types of testing is providing medical professionals and families with the information necessary to treat congenital heart disease early enough to avoid further damage.