Table of Contents
Introduction
Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), also referred to as Congenital Heart Disease, describes abnormalities in the structure or function of the heart present at birth. The American Heart Association prefers the term defect as it more accurately reflects a developmental anomaly rather than an acquired condition (American Heart Association, 2023).
Etiology and Clinical Relevance
CHDs occur when the heart or its major blood vessels do not form properly during fetal development. These anomalies can range from minor defects that resolve on their own to life-threatening conditions requiring urgent intervention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023a).
Epidemiology in the United States
According to the CDC (2023b), an estimated 40,000 infants in the United States are born each year with a CHD, making it the most common type of birth defect.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is the most frequently diagnosed CHD (~16,800 cases/year).
About 25% of all CHDs are classified as Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD).
CHDs are responsible for approximately 4.2% of all neonatal deaths.
Between 1999 and 2006, 41,494 deaths were attributed to CHDs—48% occurred in infants under one year of age.
Early Detection Through Pulse Oximetry
Pulse oximetry is now a standard part of newborn screening in most U.S. hospitals. Conducted at least 24 hours after birth, it measures oxygen saturation to identify hypoxemia potentially linked to CCHD. Research indicates that routine pulse oximetry screening reduces CHD-related mortality by up to 33% (Mahle et al., 2009; CDC, 2023c).
Prognosis and Lifespan
Due to medical advances in early detection, surgical techniques, and long-term care, more than 85% of children with CHDs now reach adulthood. Many require lifelong cardiac monitoring and care tailored to the type and severity of their condition (Children’s Heart Foundation, 2023).
SCHILLER’s Contribution to Pediatric Cardiology
Infants and children with CHDs are at increased risk of rhythm disorders. Accurate and high-resolution EKG technology is critical in their diagnosis and ongoing care. SCHILLER offers state-of-the-art Swiss-engineered devices designed specifically for pediatric use.
● CARDIOVIT FT-1
Sampling rate: 32,000 Hz
Compact, touchscreen design
Optimized for neonatal and pediatric use with superior signal quality
● CARDIOVIT AT-102 G2
Up to 10 minutes of continuous resting EKG recording
High bandwidth and sampling resolution
Trusted tool for early diagnosis and monitoring of CHD patients
To explore these devices further, visit the SCHILLER website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How common are CHDs?
Roughly 1 in 110 births in the U.S. is affected by a CHD (Children’s Heart Foundation, 2023).
Q2. What causes CHDs?
While many cases are idiopathic, genetic syndromes, maternal health conditions, and environmental exposures during pregnancy are known contributors (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Q3. Can CHDs be detected before birth?
Yes, most moderate-to-severe CHDs can be diagnosed through fetal echocardiography between 18–24 weeks of gestation (Verywell Family, 2023).
Q4. What is pulse oximetry and how does it help?
It is a painless test that measures blood oxygen levels. When conducted after birth, it helps detect critical CHDs before symptoms emerge (Children’s National Hospital, 2023).
Q5. Are all CHDs detected by screening?
No. While pulse oximetry detects most critical cases, some non-critical CHDs may not be identified through this method alone (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020).
Q6. What is the long-term outlook for individuals with CHDs?
Most individuals with CHDs lead active lives, although lifelong follow-up is typically needed, especially after surgical correction (CDC, 2023b).
Conclusion
CHDs remain the most prevalent congenital anomaly in the U.S., but survival rates have improved significantly. Through early screening and precision tools like SCHILLER’s EKG systems, clinicians are better equipped than ever to detect and manage these complex conditions from infancy through adulthood.
References (APA Format)
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Screening for critical congenital heart disease.
American Heart Association. (2023). Types of congenital heart defects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023a). Facts about congenital heart defects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023b). Data and statistics on congenital heart defects.
Children’s National Hospital. (2023). Pulse oximetry screening for CHD.