Congenital heart diseases

Introduction: Congenital heart defect (CHD) may be defined as an anatomic malformation of the heart or great vessels which occurs during intrauterine development. CHDs are serious and chronic illnesses. Congenital heart defects may be classified into acyanotic and cyanotic depending on the presence or absence of cyanosis. As survival has improved, evidence has accumulated that CHD touches many aspects of the lives of those affected. Children and adults with CHDs report difficulties in physical, behavioral, and psychiatric abnormalities. - Aim: To emphasize that people with CHDs often need treatment over their life and therefore require specialist review during childhood and adulthood. This is because people with complex heart problems can develop further problems with their heart rhythm or valves over time. Also they may report physical, psychological, and behavioral abnormalities. - Conclusion: A significant proportion of survivors of open-heart surgery for CHD are at risk for physical and psychological maladjustment. This calls for an integrated approach to family support, taking the child's individual needs into account as well as the needs of the parents.