Congenital heart defects are the most common form of defect found among infants. Approximately 8 to 10 out of 1000 births, or about 1% of all infants born will have some form of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). CHD occurs when heart structures fail to develop properly in the womb in the first few weeks of pregnancy. The reasons these structures do not develop are widely unknown, but it is thought that factors such as insulin controlled diabetes and lupus in the mother, certain medications, chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, and other environmental factors such as viral infections may play a role.
While in many cases, CHD can be minor and require little to no intervention, some critical CHDs carry significant risk of morbidity and mortality. It is important that nurses and other healthcare professionals know about these defects so that they are able to recognize and detect them as soon as possible after birth to prevent critical events such as cardiogenic shock or death.
While in many cases, CHD can be minor and require little to no intervention, some critical CHDs carry significant risk of morbidity and mortality. It is important that nurses and other healthcare professionals know about these defects so that they are able to recognize and detect them as soon as possible after birth to prevent critical events such as cardiogenic shock or death.
By: Astri Sanders
Nursing 400
Nursing 400