Congenital Heart Defect

A congenital heart defect is an abnormality of the heart's structure and function caused by abnormal or disordered heart development before birth.

Congenital heart defects come in all types, from minor to major. Defects can occur inside the heart or in the large blood vessels outside the heart. The congenital heart defect may need immediate surgery or may be able to safely wait for months or years. In most cases, the timing of the surgery will depend on how sick the baby is.

The congenital heart defect may be repaired in a single surgical procedure or may require a series of procedures. Surgery may involve opening the heart to repair defects, or repairing defects of the blood vessels.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 35,000 babies are born each year with some type of congenital heart defect. Congenital heart disease is responsible for more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defects. Many congenital heart defects need to be monitored carefully; though some heal over time, others will require treatment.

Sometimes a congenital heart defect can be treated with medication alone, while others require one or multiple surgical interventions. There has been significant improvement in the risk of death from congenital heart disease surgery, from approximately 30% in the 1960s and 1970s to approximately 5% today.

Learn more about a congenital heart defect at the Brenner Children’s Hospital web site.

Congenital Heart Defect