Babies With Heart Problems have Better Chances of Survival Now

A latest study says that babies born with severe congenital heart problems have better survival chances now compared to those born in the late 1970s.

The researchers did a 26-year study of children born with heart problems that survived more than a year. They collected data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program.

"For infants with a critical congenital heart defect, survival up to one year has improved over time," said researcher Dr. Matthew Oster, medical officer at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He said that the situation has improved from 67 percent at one year for babies born with this defect in between 1979 to 1993 and 83 percent for those born from 1994 to 2005.

The researchers said that one in every 110 newborns in the U.S. suffers from congenital heart problems. Some are known as non-critical and do not need urgent attention.

The more serious issues are known as critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs).

In the time of the study over 1 million babies were born, out of which 7,000 had congenital heart defect. Around one-fourth  of  these 7000 babies had CCHD.

Babies diagnosed with CCHD at the day of their birth had lowest survival rate of 72 percent. Those diagnosed a day later of their birth had 83 percent chances of survival.

The children born at the initial stages of the study had lower survival rates and the babies born to mothers below the age of 30 too had lower chances of surviving the one year mark.

According to Dr Edward McCabe, medical director of the March of Dimes, the study is important. He said despite the fact that the situation has improved now, it needs to get better in future. One in five children born with serious congenital heart defects does survive his/her first birthday. "That's a concerning public health issue," he said.

The study will provide vital information for researchers. Dr McCabe said that they could evaluate the difference of pulse oximetry screening that can help improve the survival going forward. Pulse oximetry is largely used to diagnose such health issues.

Dr McCabe said that expectant parents, especially those with a hereditary heart defects, should consult with their doctor if they are planning a pulse oximetry testing. He said that the defects can be detected before the birth.