What does congenital heart disease mean?

Congenital means that your baby was born with it. Heart disease means there is a problem with the heart.

Will my baby develop normally?

Your baby's growth may be slower because of the heart problem, but there's a good chance that your baby will sit up, crawl, walk and talk at about the same time other children do. After the heart problem is fixed, chances are good that your baby will grow up to be strong and healthy.

Did I do something during pregnancy that made my baby have this problem?

It's normal to worry that something you did could have caused the problem, but most of the time doctors don't know what caused it. Talk with your family doctor if you're upset that you may have caused your baby's heart problem, but don't blame yourself.

What about tests?

Several tests can show what kind of heart disease your baby has. Tests can also check on your baby's condition, to see how the heart is working. Here are some tests your baby might have:

• ECG (short for "electrocardiogram")--An ECG shows the heartbeat as a line tracing. It measures activity in different parts of the heart.
• Pulse oximetry--This test shows how much oxygen is in the baby's blood.
• Echocardiogram--This test gives the doctor an ultrasound "picture" of the baby's heart.
• Chest X-ray--This can show how well the heart is growing and if your baby's lungs have fluid in them.
• Cardiac catheterization--This test uses dye in the heart to give the doctor a clear picture of the heart problem.

What treatment will my baby need for the heart problem?

Many babies who have heart disease need medicine to make their heart stronger or to prevent other problems. It's very important to give the medicine just the way your doctor tells you to. Try not to skip a dose. If you do forget a dose, call your doctor to find out if you should give an extra dose.

What about surgery? Do all babies who have heart problems need surgery?

Surgery depends on the type of heart problem your baby has. Some heart problems have to be fixed as soon as the baby is born. Other problems can wait until the child is older. Sometimes the repair takes more than one operation.

After surgery, your baby will stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) for a few days so the doctors and nurses can keep a close watch. Tubes and machines keep track of your child's condition. They don't cause any pain. Many children are back at play just a few days after heart surgery.

• What is the likely cause of my child’s heart problem?
• What kind of heart problem does my child have?
• What kind of treatment does he/she need? Medicine? Surgery?
• What are the risks associated with the treatment?
• What is the recovery time for this treatment?
• What are some signs that my child’s condition is getting worse?
• Is my child at risk for any long-term health problems?