Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are abnormalities in the structure of the heart that affects the way the heart functions. CHDs usually develop during the first few weeks of pregnancy. CHDs affect the blood flow through the heart and to the rest of the body. The defects range from mild defects that need no treatment or those that can be easily fixed, to severe, life threatening defects that require special medical and surgical care soon after birth.