Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week occurs from February 7 to 14, 2017.
Considered by the March of Dimes as the most prevalent types of birth defects, congenital heart defects(CHDs) are considered deadly health conditions that a baby is born with. CHDs change the function and/or shape of a newborn’s heart (or parts within) to the point of that overall health is compromised, which means treatment is typically required within the first hours, days, or months of life.
1. CHD Statistics
The website, LittleHearts.org, estimates that 40,000 U.S. babies are born with CHD annually each year—that’s roughly 1 in every 100 newborn (or 40,000 babies).
In many cases heart defects don’t require treatment or are easily fixed. However, in serious cases or babies born with critical congenital heart disease (or CCHD), the heart defect can result in deadly health issues and requires immediate attention.
