FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

1. What is congenital heart disease?
   
   Congenital heart disease simply means that a baby is born with some type of abnormality of the heart. There is a wide variety of different types of congenital heart disease; ranging from some forms that can be very serious and require urgent treatment in the newborn period to minor problems that may resolve on their own.
   
   
2. What causes congenital and acquired heart disease?
   
   Research continues, but in most cases the cause of congenital heart disease still cannot be identified. Genetic, environmental factors and lifestyle habits can all be involved. Viral infections, such as German measles, can be the cause as well as the mother's excessive use of alcohol or illegal drugs while pregnant. The mother's exposure to certain anticonvulsant and dermatologic drugs during pregnancy can also be the source. Genetic conditions such as Down's syndrome can affect multiple organs and be the cause of congenital heart disease.
   
   
3. How can you tell if your child has congenital heart disease?
   
   In general the symptoms of congenital heart disease include:
   
   Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
   Cyanosis, (bluish discoloration of the skin)
   Heart murmur
   Respiratory infections that recur excessively
   Stunted growth
   Limbs and muscles that are underdeveloped
   Slow growth
   Susceptibility to pneumonia
   Chest pain
   Dizziness or fainting
   Congestive heart failure
   Sometimes there are no symptoms
   
   
4. How common is congenital heart disease?
   
   In the United States, nearly one of every 100 babies is born with some form of heart defect, making congenital heart the single most common form of birth defect.
   
   
5. What is pediatric cardiology?
   
   Pediatric Cardiology deals with heart problems in babies (including unborn babies), children and adolescents, including structural, functional, and rhythm (heartbeat) problems. Of all heart problems in children, congenital heart defects (those present at birth) are the most common, afflicting some 30-35,000 children each year in the United States. Because congenital heart disease requires special expertise for diagnosis and treatment, "pediatric" cardiology may extend to adults with congenital heart disease.
   
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