Congenital Heart Defects

What are Congenital Heart Defects?

During the early embryonic stages, the heart develops into an intricate four chambered structure. Heart defects involve abnormal development in heart structure and function. Congenital means, "existing at birth". In most cases scientists and researchers do not know why congenital heart defects occur.

Sometimes a congenital heart defect will go undetected for a period of time. When this happens, deterioration of the heart can occur. Some complications that are related to an undetected CHD are Cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart), Congestive Heart Failure, Strokes, and Multiple Organ Failure. Because the incidence of Congenital Heart Defects is extremely high, it is very important that all babies are screened. Toys for Nicholas would like to see a higher level of testing available for all children. The most accurate method would be an echocardiogram. A "fetal echocardiogram" would be able to detect heart defects in utero. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of performing these tests and the shortage of expertise in this area, it is not readily available.

Cardiac Anomalies / Congenital Heart Defects

The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Heart Center Encyclopedia provides detailed information on cardiac anomalies, signs, symptoms, diagnoses & treatment options:

• Aortic Valvar Stenosis
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Atrioventricular Septal Defect
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Ebstein's Anomaly
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Interrupted Aortic Arch / Ventricular Septic Defect
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Pulmonary Valvar Stenosis
• Single Ventricle Anomalies
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
• Transposition of the Great Arteries
• Tricuspid Artresia
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Vascular Rings
• Ventricular Septal Defect