Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect encountered in the clinical setting. The prevalence of all forms of congenital heart lesions is approximately 1% of live births, although estimates in the newborn are likely compromised by underdiagnosis of some lesions such as bicuspid aortic valve and overdiagnosis of normal structures that are in transition, including the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus. The presentation of the newborn with CHD can range from being asymptomatic to complete cardiovascular collapse. The presentation of neonates with CHD is vast and can range from murmurs to cyanosis, and/or congestive heart failure (CHF). Lesions that result in each of these clinical findings will be considered separately although considerable overlap exists among the three groups.