Congenital heart defects (CHDs) account for 24% of infant deaths due to birth defects.In the United States, about 4,800 (or 11.6 per 10,000) babies born every year have one of seven critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs, which also are known collectively in some instances as critical congenital heart disease). These seven CCHDs are hypoplastic left heart syndrome, pulmonary atresia (with intact septum), tetralogy of Fallot, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, transposition of the great arteries, tricuspid atresia, and truncus arteriosus.
Babies with one of these CCHDs are at significant risk of disability or death if their CCHD is not diagnosed soon after birth. These seven CCHDs among some babies potentially can be detected using pulse oximetry screening, which is a test to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood and pulse rate. Other heart defects can be just as severe as these seven CCHDs and also require treatment soon after birth. However, pulse oximetry screening may not detect these heart defects as consistently as the seven disorders listed as CCHDs.
For all the CHD survivors, keep fighting, for their parents never ever lose faith nor hope. Be thankful for every moment you have with your precious child.
For these precious babies who lost their battle with CHD, we will always remember and never forget, let us find some comfort that you no longer feel pain and you are will the father in Heaven.
When I was 5 months pregnant and we found out about Colt’s Heart, I only broke down a few times and finally I reignited my relationship to God and I gave it all up to him, my fears and worries and from that point my feet have only once touched the ground(but that is another story to be told later), the rest of the way he has carried me. I am thankful for my God and grateful that he gave us a son.
We go back to see Dr. Cottrill on February 20, 2011 for a follow-up and an echo. Dr. Plunkett would like to have Colt weighing at least 30 pounds before his 3rd and hopefully last open heart surgery. I will be sure to post an update then, I promise!!!!
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