The heart is the most vital organ in our body. Thousands of newborns are diagnosed with the congenital cardiac disease each year. It continues to be a significant cause of death in the first year of life. Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, which runs from February 7 to February 14, raises awareness of congenital heart problems and offers educational opportunities on CHD.
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect. Statistics from CDC state that in the United States, at least 40,000 babies a year are born with a heart defect, which amounts to nearly 1 in 100 babies. Across the world, about 1.35 million babies are born each year with CHD. Despite its prevalence, CHD research is not given enough recognition and is greatly underfunded.
A baby born with CHD could have trouble breathing, poor weight gain, poor circulation, and tire easily. Due to reduced oxygen saturation, such babies often have blue lips and fingernails, which is called cyanosis.
While sadly, there is no cure for CHD, the right treatment can greatly enhance the quality of life and add many years to a child’s life.
What is Congenital Heart Disease?
When the heart doesn’t develop normally, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the result. There are numerous issues that may arise from the improper development of the heart, including variations in blood flow, inadequately developed valves, lower oxygen levels, and holes in the heart.
While mild cardiac abnormalities may not even require any treatment, in case of complex heart abnormalities, open-heart surgery might be required. In serious cases, even a heart transplant or multiple surgeries could be called for.
Children and adults born with heart defects, their families, and the scientists and medical professionals who are constantly striving to advance diagnosis and treatment are all recognized during CHD Awareness Week. People should be made aware of CHD and the need for more research. By taking part in CHD Awareness Week, one can raise awareness of CHD among the public, while simultaneously raising funds for research and for providing better care.
Pregnant women should be informed that prenatal ultrasounds can detect CHD. It is very important that patients with congenital heart disease should follow up with a cardiologist on a regular basis.
Types of CHD
There are several types of CHD, and the most common include:
- Ventricular septal defects
- Atrial septal defects
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Pulmonary valve stenosis
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA)
- Aortic valve stenosis
- Single ventricle defects, such as double outlet right ventricle (DORV) and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
(Source: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/congenital-heart-defect-awareness-week-february-7-14/)
It is possible that some babies are born with more than one defect. For example, they may have a single ventricle with pulmonary stenosis.
Unfortunately, for many babies born with CHD, the cause of their heart defect is unknown. There is research that suggests that CHD is hereditary, and some CHDs occur because of a genetic disorder. Pregnant women who smoke, premature birth, and mothers with chronic health issues, are also believed to increase the risk of CHD.
MWT Global Academy joins the rest of the world in raising awareness about CHD. If you were born with CHD or know someone who has CHD, don’t let it affect your quality of life! Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys were all born with CHD, and have reached the pinnacle of success in their respective fields. There’s nothing stopping you, as well!