Congenital heart defects in children

Updated: 2017-06-13

Overview

Congenital heart defect is one of the most common types of birth defects.

Symptoms

Symptoms include abnormal heart rhythms, blue-tinted skin, shortness of breath, failure to feed or develop normally, and swollen body tissue or organs.

Treatments

Treatments include medications to lower blood pressure and control heart rate, heart devices, catheter procedures, and surgery. Serious cases may require a heart transplant.