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What You Need to Know About the Most Common Birth Defect
About 1 in 100 babies are born with it. There is no cure. Detection is key and can save lives. It’s the most common birth defect.
I knew none of this when my daughter was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. She was diagnosed after death.
While congenital heart defects, or CHD, kill more children than double the amount of all childhood cancers combined, thankfully, most patients now live into adulthood.
I’m on a mission to make sure every mother is at least aware of the most common birth defect. I sure wish I’d heard of it.
Every day I hear from mothers that were blindsided with a diagnosis moments before their child was rushed off to the NICU or operating room.
The causes of CHD aren’t known, but researchers have found links to maternal obesity, smoking, diabetes, and genetics. So women with a history of any of those issues should be especially alert. Taking folic acid while pregnant is also a good idea.
As for detection, a baby can be detected by ultrasound, at birth, and sometimes not until later in life. Some CHDs go undetected until adulthood, but often if the CHD is caught early enough, the problem can be controlled by medicines or surgery.
For pregnant moms, at the 20 week ultrasound, ask the technician to focus on the heart. After the baby is born, report rapid breathing, turning blue, trouble feeding, and blue gums to your child’s doctor. As your child grows, watch for those same symptoms and take note if he starts tiring easily.
It’s the most common birth defect after all, shouldn’t every mom at least have heard of congenital heart defects?
Kristine Brite McCormick writes about Cora (almost) daily on her blog http://www.corasstory.org. If not on her blog, she can be found on Twitter, @kristinebrite or Cora’s Facebook Fan page, telling Cora’s Story. Follow Kristine for more information about congenital heart defects or to learn more about the acts of compassion and kindness Cora has inspired.
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Kristine Brite Mccormick, August 12, 2010
Thanks for letting me write this guest post!
sarah, August 12, 2010
no parent should EVER have to go through what you and your husband did. loosing a child has to be my absolute worst fear. you amaze me, everyday, with your courage and strength to help spread the word about CHD to prevent others from going through the same horrific experience. Cora would be so proud of what you are doing in her name! keep up the good work mama you are saving lives, one heart at a time!
Megan Allen, August 12, 2010
Way to go Kristine! Great way to get the straight facts out there and let parents hear CHD before it's about their child!! Cora's changing the world with MUCH help from you! <3 So very proud of you!
Jessica, August 12, 2010
Thank you Kristine for spreading awareness every chance you get <3
Stacie Howell, August 12, 2010
I was diagnosed at the age of 35 with CHD. My mother was told when I was a chid that I had a heart mumor and it would go away as I grew older. I started having what i that was panik attacks and saw my pcp. After seeing him several times, he finally told me i was just over reacting. I went to have a cyst removed when the EKG came back abnormal...sure enough it was a whole in my heart. Thank goodness I had a wonderful GYNO or I might not be writing this now.
Annabelle, August 19, 2010
I'm so sorry for your little girl, what a nightmare...
My daughter had a CHD (hers was an ASD - hole between the two upper parts of the heart) and fortunately she was diagnosed when she was 2 and had a surgery at 4 to close the hole. She was and is doing great. Lots of CHD are treatable now, sometimes with open heart surgery but also by catheter which is soooo much easier and less traumatic.
An amazing website and forum for heart problems is http://www.heartandcoeur.com/
Kristen , August 25, 2010
Thank you for bringing attention to the #1 birth defect. Our son was diagnosed at my 20 week ultrasound and was taken to the local children's hospital at birth. He had his first surgery at 11 days and his second at 6 months. He still needs a third. We were completely unaware how common CHDs were until Jack's diagnosis. We, too, raise awareness every chance we get!
Sherry, September 7, 2010
I have congenital heart disease and I am a survivor.
I have mitral valve prolapse and was born with it. Another common birth defect my grandmother had it and lived to be 83. Not all congenital heart disease is fatal. Sorry you lost your child. Every parent should not have to go through what you did. You have my condolences and prayers.
Sherry T.
andrea, September 7, 2010
My son Connor was born with TWO congenital heart defects. He has Epsteins Anomaly and Non-compaction Spongiform cardiomyopathy. It was not detected till a couple days after birth....I almost lost him. I went to every prenatal visit. I ate right, didnt drink or smoke, took my vitamins. Did everything they tell you to do. I thank God every day my son is still with me. He takes constant medication and sees his cardiologist every 6 months. CHD is something most people don't even think about...
Sherry T., September 7, 2010
I also wanted to let you know that I am required by law to see a cardio every six years and never had any problems. If I need surgery eventually they will tell me but they said it is more fatal to get mitral valve surgery than it is to just live with it. I can't overdo my cardio workouts but otherwise I have had a wonderful existence.
maranatha, September 7, 2010
I am sorry for your loss but grateful for your child's life! You, in turn, have been inspired to educate others. We, also have seen two of our children go on to heaven so those are genuine words of understanding. We have a son with 2 CHD's and he has come through 2 open heart surgeries and 3 heart caths and is doing very well. We learned of our sons condition shortly after his birth and were blessed to bring him home fairly quickly after his 1st open heart. He is such a blessing!
Elizabeth, September 7, 2010
I have a CHD as does my daughter- thankfully both are minor and we can deal easily with them.
No parent should have to loose a child. Ever. It is the most tragic thing ever.
Nora Radz, September 7, 2010
I too had to experience CHD. Our story is at www.paulinaspromise.com. We hope to continue to educate and raise funding so that no child ever has to die.
sue white, September 7, 2010
I believe that there needs to be an awareness and education on the chemicals we live with on a daily basis and the effect it has on our bodies, especially our innocent little unborn babies. I think what we use in our homes to clean and make them "smell good" have a huge effect on our unborn children. Check into it. It's worth the read. 'Let's stop Poisoning Our Children!' by Richard M. Barry or "Please...protect yourself from household toxics" by Debra Lynn Dadd
Jen, September 7, 2010
First, I am very, very sorry for your loss.
Second, there are fabulous resources out there if people want to know more about CHD. I encourage every parent, soon-to-be-parent and someday-to-be-parent to do a little digging and become aware of Congenital Heart Defects. To lay the blame at noxious chemicals or maternal obesity is rather simplistic...the fact is that this happens and a majority of cases go unexplained. My daughter is one of those...
