Blog
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What are symptoms of congenital heart defects?
Congenital heart defects, commonly referred to as a CHD, are typically diagnosed while someone is a child, or before birth. In rare cases, CHDs are undiagnosed until adulthood. This is because some defects are hard to detect. Diagnosing CHD If you or your child has a congenital heart defect, you need to know what type,…
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“It Takes a Team”: A Discussion About Feeding and Nutrition in CHD
Feeding and nutrition can be complicated for parents to navigate for their child with congenital heart disease. Nutrition is important for everyone, but for infants and children with CHD, it is essential, not just for survival, but for helping them thrive. In recent years, much of the focus on nutrition for CHD patients has shifted…
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Hudson Heyward
Hudson was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and spent more than 176 days inpatient. Now home with his family, Hudson’s first Christmas is sure to be extra special. Read about his battle with HLHS and how beauty can be found even in terrible circumstances. Hudson was 9 days old when he was diagnosed with…
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What is a CHD Baby?
Also known as CHD, congenital heart disease is a term for babies born with heart defects. Therefore, a CHD baby is one who has CHD. These defects affect the normal way the heart works, but the term “congenital” means the condition is present from birth. It is one of the most common types of birth…
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What is the most common congenital heart defect in infants?
Congenital heart defects are much more common than you might think. In fact, congenital heart defects impact 1 in 100 babies per year that are born in the U.S. alone. They can range from severe to mild symptoms in infants from the time they are born and sometimes require surgery or other serious procedures. Just…
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CHD Care Doesn’t Have to be Scary: Helping Your Child Cope with Their CHD Care
Congenital heart disease is a lifelong condition, requiring ongoing specialized care. Children with CHD often have clinic appointments, invasive procedures, and long hospital stays to contend with which can often present challenges for parents helping them cope. Congenital heart disease is a lifelong condition, requiring ongoing specialized care, which can sometimes present a challenge for…
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Transparency and Public Reporting: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
Congenital heart disease can be complicated to navigate, especially when it comes to choosing care for yourself or your child. Working together to improve transparency, congenital heart programs, patients and families can improve outcomes and save lives. Congenital heart disease data may be complicated, but sharing information need not be so. When you or your…
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It’s Never Just the Heart: Promoting Mental Health for Children with CHD and Their Families
Congenital heart disease is never just about the heart. CHD has a real impact on all aspects of life and health for patients and families, especially when it comes to mental health. For those impacted by the most common birth defect, it’s never just about the heart. Mental health issues are extremely common within the…
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Promoting Mental Health for Parents of Children with Heart Conditions
Developed by: Cheryl Brosig, PhD, Herma Heart Center, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WIErica Sood, PhD, Nemours Cardiac Center, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE View the PDF Pediatric heart problems can have a huge impact on parents and families. It is common for parents to feel scared and overwhelmed when learning about their…
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Community Fundraisers: Frequently Asked Questions
So you’re ready to make a difference in the CHD community by creating a fundraiser but you’ve got some questions. No worries, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few answers to some of the most common fundraiser questions we get. Need help setting up your fundraiser? Start by reviewing our Conquering CHD Your Way…