The
term ' congenital heart defect' refers to an abnormality of
the heart, which is present' at birth.
1
in 100 babies are born with a heart defect. This makes heart
defects the most common birth defect in Australia.
Approximately
200 a year born in SA.
The
severity of abnormalities can range from hole in the heart,
prior to a complex and serious individual combination of
conditions.
Up
to 20% of heart defects are gene-linked abnormalities. But
for the remaining 80% the cause is usually unknown.
More
than half of these conditions are serious enough to require
treatment in some form - either through medication or surgery,
while some cannot be repaired.
Approximately
80 families travel to Melbourne for surgery each year.
While
most children with a heart problem are born with it (congenital)
there are some problems which may develop later in childhood
(acquired).
