CHD Awareness Week

As this week is Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Week, I thought you would be surprised to read some of these facts:

• Congenital Heart Defects are not only the # 1 birth defect, but the # 1 cause of birth defect-related deaths.
• About 1 out of every 100 babies are born with some type of CHD.
• Nearly twice as many children die from CHDs in the U.S. each year as from ALL forms of childhood cancers COMBINED!  However, the funds spent on childhood cancer research is much greater than the amount spent researching CHDs.
• This year, approximately 4,000 babies will die before their first birthday due to a CHD.

While research continues, 35 types of Congenital Heart Defects have been identified.  Here's a little breakdown of how frequently some of these defects occur.

• 4-8% born with a CHD have Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
• 4-10% born with a CHD have Atrioventricular Septal Defects.
• 8-11% born with a CHD have Coarctation of the Aorta.
• 9-14% born with a CHD have Tetralogy of Fallot - IAN'S DEFECT!!!
• 10-11% born with a CHD have Transposition of the Great Arteries.
• 14-16% born with a CHD have Ventricular Septal Defects.

Of course, the sooner the defect is identified, the greater the chance for survival the child has so awareness is really key!  Please spread the word about Congenital Heart Defects in hopes that research will continue and that each year more babies will overcome such incredible odds!