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CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES - Social sector Perspective Congenital Heart disease as a name and extent of disease load in our country was unheard of in my life till I started working with children affected by this life threatening disease. Although the science background that I came from had made me aware of the term congenital, which means presence of something from birth. Diseases can be acquired during life time from the environment and other sources but congenital are those defects or diseases which precipitate during fetal growth in the womb. There are various developmental abnormalities that occur during fetal growth. These abnormalities can be of various types. It can be abnormality in the walls of the four chambers of heart, Abnormality in the valves between the chambers and it can also be abnormality in the blood vessels of the heart. Seeing few days old babies make it and survive while few unfortunate ones who do not, has changed my outlook towards life ! The statistics of 1 child born in every 100 live births with any of these abnormalities is alarming. Although this data is common all over the world but with the population and resources we have as a developing country, this is HUGE! We lack the number of hospitals with dedicated pediatric cardiology departments, lack of pediatric cardiac specialists for diagnosis and the pediatric cardiac surgeons for treatment. Out of 200000 children born every year with this defect, only 15000 get to access treatment, which leaves the rest to die or wait. There is delay in diagnosis and reporting because of lack of awareness due to high illiteracy in general masses in rural areas. People are ignorant of the symptoms for early reporting. Thus the symptoms get ignored and over a period of time when the problem gets worse, it becomes unmanageable.Access to Governmental set ups is open to all but because of high numbers of patients, chance of getting an appointment or date for treatment becomes a challange. Parents are issued dates of 2 to 3 years ahead, while in reality, the treating doctors know that the child in question would not be able to survive and make it till his future assigned date.All this leaves the parents with no hope but to knock on the private commercial healthcare setups. The highly expensive treatment for this disease, leaves parents with no choice but to suffer and live with the trauma and guilt of losing their child in front of their eyes due to lack of funds.Pivate Insurance agencies are of no help as congenital heart diseases are considered as pre existing defects so don't come under the insurance cover. Government has come up with various health schemes, prominent among them being RBSK scheme. It covers CHD as well. According to this scheme, no child should die due to CHD. It sounds wonderful, but, we all know the fact that for no child to die due to CHD, it is very important to carry out early detection and screening at each and every district of our country. For this to happen, RBSK has suggested making DEIC ( District Early Intervention Centers ) which would carry out early screening for CHD. But, the fact remains, to carry out early detection/screening, we need trained medical professionals for early detection.The number of pediatric cardiologist as of now in our country is just 250-270. How can we imagine these numbers to cater to population in crores?We need to train other medical fraternity to address this problem. We need to train technicians to operate echo machines to carry out early diagnosis. We need to create some programs to engage with basic community workers for talking to people about CHD and make them aware when to seek help based on symptoms seen in their child.The only solution to address this is1. Create awareness and sensitization about the disease and disease load amongst people2. Train more health professionals for early screening and diagnosis3. Built more Government and Charitable hospitals with dedicated Pediatric Cardiology Departments

When it comes to finding the top NGO for heart problems in children, it's important to look beyond popularity and focus on long-term impact, accessibility, and quality of support. In India, where over 180,000 children are born with congenital heart disease (CHD) every year, timely intervention is essential but access remains a problem for many underprivileged families. Child Heart Foundation (CHF) has gradually become recognized as a top NGO for heart problems in children, and not just because of the number of children they've helped. What truly makes CHF stand out is the way their entire model is built around early diagnosis, financial support, and community awareness all tailored to low-income families. The process starts with their PraDAAN® Pediatric Echocardiography Program, which provides free and discounted heart screenings. In India, many families can't afford these tests privately, and government hospitals are often overcrowded. CHF's intervention helps detect CHD early, increasing the chances of successful treatment. Following diagnosis, CHF steps in with HRIDAAN®, which offers financial assistance for surgeries and cardiac treatments. This eliminates the biggest barrier's cost. So far, they've helped hundreds of children receive life-saving interventions. They don't just fund surgeries, ”they guide families through hospitals, ensure paperwork is complete, and provide emotional support throughout. Being a top NGO for heart problems in children also means addressing post-surgery needs. CHF's SAHYOG program helps with the cost of medicines, travel, and accommodation for outstation families. This is especially helpful for those who have to visit cities like Delhi for treatment from rural areas. CHF also focuses on early prevention through the JEEVANSH® program, which offers fetal echocardiography during pregnancy, and awareness programs like SUGYAAN®, which have reached over 5,00,000 people. These initiatives build awareness about heart health, so families can act before problems become emergencies. CHF also contributes to improving the overall healthcare system. Through HRIDYA SAKSHAM, they train pediatricians in echocardiography and donate machines to government hospital's filling critical gaps in India's pediatric cardiac infrastructure. In short, what makes CHF a top NGO for heart problems in children is its consistent, well-rounded approach: from diagnosis to recovery, from education to system-building. CHF doesn't just offer services, they make sure every child, regardless of their background, has a real shot at a healthy future.

For underprivileged families in India, accessing timely and quality healthcare can be incredibly challenging, especially when it comes to serious conditions like congenital heart disease (CHD). The cost of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care can be financially overwhelming. Add to that the lack of awareness about symptoms or available support, and many children are left undiagnosed or untreated. In this context, understanding how CHF helps underprivileged families becomes important. Child Heart Foundation (CHF) has designed its programs specifically to address these very issues ,working at the ground level to support families from the first signs of a health concern all the way through treatment and recovery. The journey begins with early detection. CHF's PraDAAN® program provides free or subsidized pediatric echocardiography screenings, helping identify children with heart abnormalities. For many families, this is the first time they're able to access such a test without long waits in public hospitals. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, how CHF helps underprivileged families becomes even more evident. Through the HRIDAAN® program, CHF offers financial assistance for heart surgeries and other critical treatments. This is particularly crucial in cases where immediate intervention can save a child's life and improve their long-term quality of health. But CHF's role doesn't end at funding procedures. The SAHYOG initiative addresses the often-overlooked yet essential aspects of care, such as travel, medication, temporary accommodation, and meals. These logistical challenges can be a major hurdle, especially for families coming from rural areas or smaller towns. CHF also puts effort into building awareness. Through the SUGYAAN® program, community sessions and partnerships with frontline workers spread information about symptoms of CHD and the availability of services. Additionally, JEEVANSH® offers free fetal echocardiography to pregnant women, allowing early detection and planning before the baby is even born. These combined efforts create a support system that is both medical and human. CHF's partnerships with hospitals, NGOs, and local authorities ensure a seamless flow of referrals and follow-ups. So, how CHF helps underprivileged families is not just by offering treatment, it's by standing beside them through every stage, providing clarity, support, and care.

Choosing the right support system when your child is diagnosed with a heart condition can be overwhelming. With the growing number of congenital heart disease (CHD) cases in India, especially among children from underprivileged backgrounds, families often find themselves stuck between long waiting periods in public hospitals and unaffordable treatment costs in private ones. In such situations, the question ,Why choose CHF? becomes highly relevant and the answer is both practical and powerful. Child Heart Foundation (CHF) is a registered NGO committed solely to the cause of children with heart problems. Its focus is clear: no child should suffer or die due to heart disease just because their family cannot afford treatment. This mission reflects in all its programs, outreach, and partnerships. One of CHF's major strengths is its dedication to early diagnosis. Through the PraDAAN® Pediatric Echocardiography Program, the organization offers free or subsidized echo screenings for children up to 18 years of age. These screenings are vital for detecting CHD symptoms early symptoms that can be subtle and often missed in routine checkups. For families that live far from specialized hospitals or face delays in public healthcare systems, this program can be life-changing. But diagnosis is just the beginning. Why choose CHF? Because their involvement doesn't stop there. With the HRIDAAN® Financial Assistance Program, CHF supports children whose families can't bear the cost of surgery or cardiac procedures. Beyond financial support, CHF helps parents understand their child's condition, guides them through the hospital admission process, and even follows up post-treatment to ensure proper recovery. CHF also addresses logistical struggles through SAHYOG, a program that helps with travel, medicines, lodging, and meals ,things that many families from outside the city find difficult to manage during prolonged hospital visits. Their efforts go beyond direct treatment. Why choose CHF? Because they also focus on prevention and awareness. Programs like SUGYAAN® and JEEVANSH® create awareness about heart health in communities and among pregnant women, ensuring that families are better informed and prepared. CHF conducts workshops with frontline health workers, organizes camps in schools and orphanages, and collaborates with government hospitals to make healthcare more accessible. CHF doesn't work in isolation. They've partnered with some of the most trusted government institutions and have trained doctors in pediatric cardiology through their HRIDYA SAKSHAM initiative. By building local capacities and donating echocardiography machines, CHF is also contributing to long-term improvements in India's public health infrastructure.rom awareness to diagnosis, from surgery to recovery, from the hospital bed to home, CHF is not just an organization. It's a partner in healing.

The heart is the powerhouse of the body. But what happens when this vital organ fails? How do heart problems specifically affect children and adolescents? The following article provides an overview of causes, symptoms, and treatment for heart disease among our younger populations.A healthy heart functions like a well-oiled machine. Triggered by electrical signals, the heart chambers expand and relax, the valves open and close like house gates, each muscular section, tissue layer, and cell working in sync to send a surge of blood to the rest of the body. There are times, however, when this intricate machinery stalls. While cardiac illnesses occur more frequently in adults, young children and teenagers experience heart problems too. These disorders can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired.The importance of early intervention in congenital heart disease casesCongenital heart disease (CHD) impacts nearly one in hundred children worldwide. These structural malformations are present at birth, and are the most common cause of pediatric heart failure. The two types of CHD are cyanotic (low blood oxygen levels) and acyanotic (abnormal heart pumping).Causes: CHD occurs because the fetal heart does not develop properly in the uterus. The exact causes of CHD are unclear but contributing factors may include: inherited abnormal chromosomes or genes; alcohol and drug consumption during pregnancy; and illness during pregnancy.Symptoms: While most heart defects can be diagnosed prenatally or post-delivery, some forms of CHD may be detected later in childhood or adolescence. Clinical signs of CHD in younger kids and teens may include: fainting, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and inability to engage in physical activity.Treatment: To effectively treat CHD, early detection is vital. Regular monitoring allows for timely intervention, which helps preclude CHD-related health complications and provides the best chance for children with CHD to live an active, healthy life. Simple CHD conditions can be healed with medication that prevents blood clots or controls irregular heartbeat. More serious CHD cases require medical intervention. Treatment modalities can encompass: cardiac catheterization, corrective surgery, implantable heart device (e.g., a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator), and, in rare cases, heart transplantation.Acquired heart disease: types and treatmentPediatric acquired heart problems are not present at birth; they arise later in life. As with CHD, acquired heart defects can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, inherited heart conditions, and structural defects, which can put children at higher risk of developing acquired cardiovascular issues. There are four types of acquired heart disease:Kawasaki disease: Most common in young children, Kawasaki disease is inflammation of the blood vessels.Symptoms: A fever greater than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit for five or more days alongside at least four of the following: rash, enlarged lymph nodes, swollen red skin on the hands and feet, bloodshot eyes, cracked lips, and a swollen tongue.Treatment: Medical therapy within ten days of exhibiting symptoms is necessary to reduce lasting damage to the arteries. Kawasaki disease is usually treated with intravenous gammaglobulin (immunoglobulin). In the ensuing weeks, a child may also be prescribed low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clotting.Myocarditis: Thickening of the heart's muscular walls, which is often caused by an immune response to viral infection.Symptoms: Older children present fewer, more subtle symptoms of myocarditis than newborns and infants. These signs may include: chest pain, heart palpitations, cough, fatigue, fever, belly pain, nausea, and inability to engage in physical activity.Treatment: There is no direct cure for myocarditis; instead the focus of treatment is to address the underlying illness as well as support heart functioning and blood circulation. Potential treatment options involve: medication to control blood pressure, intravenous immunoglobulin to reduce inflammation, and complete bed rest.Rheumatic heart disease: Caused by damage to the heart valves as a result of rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease is the most common acquired heart disease in people under the age of 25.Symptoms: Clinical presentation of rheumatic heart disease can include chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of the stomach, hands or feet, fatigue, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.Treatment: In severe cases, surgery is required to repair or replace the damaged heart valves; this may be supplemented with blood thinners and medication for heart rhythm abnormalities.Cardiomyopathy: A chronic heart condition where the heart muscles deteriorate (by thickening or rigidifying) or the heart chambers distend. Apart from genetics and viral infection, cardiomyopathy can also be triggered by metabolic, mitochondrial, or systemic diseases, toxins, and chemotherapy drugs.Symptoms: Affected children may complain of shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, bloating, chest pain, and fatigue.Treatment: Cardiomyopathy can be managed by administering angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and beta blockers to fortify the heart's pumping capacity; performing a myectomy to remove excess heart muscle; inserting ventricular assist devices; and, in rare cases, conducting a heart transplant.Managing heart disease in teenagers—it takes a villageAdolescence is a turbulent period even in the best of situations. Add heart defects to the picture, and you can imagine the anxiety and stress a teenager with a heart malady might experience. Given the unique developmental needs of adolescents, a holistic and tailored heart health approach is necessary. As Paul et al notes, teens with CHD are at greater risk of mental health disorders, neurodevelopmental impairments, differences in sexual development, and cardiovascular illness. A multidisciplinary team is required to support teens as they confront myriad challenges in their recovery as well as empower them with the knowledge to build a healthy life. In addressing the pediatric community, Dr. Kriti Puri states: “It take[s] a village to help these patients thrive…This is our call to action, partnering with these young adults and their families, to equip them with the GPS to route them to their optimal outcomes.”SourcesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Care of the adolescent with congenital heart disease: Beyond the life expectancy. Retrieved from https://publications.aap.org/journal-blogs/blog/24902/Care-of-the-Adolescent-with-Congenital-HeartBetter Health Channel. (n.d.). Heart disorders - acquired - children. Better Health Channel. Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/heart-disorders-acquired-childrenBetter Health Channel. (n.d.). Kawasaki disease. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kawasaki-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354598Cardiovascular Health, Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Heart failure in children and adolescents. American Heart Association. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure/heart-failure-in-children-and-adolescentsCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. (n.d.). Myocarditis. Retrieved from https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/m/myocarditisCleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Congenital heart disease. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21674-congenital-heart-disease#overviewCleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Pediatric cardiology. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21704-heartHealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). Pediatric cardiomyopathy. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/heart/Pages/Pediatric-Cardiomyopathy.aspx?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvr--BhB5EiwAd5YbXhwCMoSyv1NlP3sC7Uma2lTfCfL_KttumGhrfP-tBwA7rHgfPVhDGBoCiw0QAvD_BwEMayo Clinic. (n.d.). Congenital heart defects in children. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/congenital-heart-defects-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20350074Medanta. (n.d.). The importance of pediatric cardiology in early childhood. Medanta - The Medicity. Retrieved from https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/the-importance-of-paediatric-cardiology-in-early-childhood#:~:text=Importance%20of%20Early%20Detection%20and,living%20a%20healthy%2C%20active%20lifeModern Heart and Vascular. (n.d.). Heart disease in children and teens. Retrieved from https://www.modernheartandvascular.com/heart-disease-in-children-and-teens/Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). Care of the adolescent with congenital heart disease: Beyond the life expectancy. Retrieved from https://scholars.mssm.edu/en/publications/care-of-the-adolescent-with-congenital-heart-disease-beyond-the-lNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Care of the adolescent with congenital heart disease: Beyond the life expectancy. Retrieved from https://scholars.mssm.edu/en/publications/care-of-the-adolescent-with-congenital-heart-disease-beyond-the-lOregon Health & Science University. (n.d.). Congenital heart defects in children. OHSU. Retrieved from https://www.ohsu.edu/doernbecher/congenital-heart-defects-childrenPubMed Central. (2021). Pediatric cardiology and heart disease: An overview. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8996670/Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Rheumatic heart disease. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatic-heart-disease#:~:text=It%20most%20commonly%20occurs%20in,antibiotics%20when%20they%20do%20occurTemple Health. (n.d.). 10 interesting heart facts you may not know. Temple Health. Retrieved from https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/10-interesting-heart-facts-you-may-not-knowUniversity of California, Davis Health. (n.d.). Acquired heart conditions in children. UC Davis Health. Retrieved from https://health.ucdavis.edu/conditions/pediatrics/pediatric-cardiology/acquired-heart-conditions-children

Child Heart Foundation sheds light on congenital heart defects (CHD) and how they affect children at the beginning of life.When we think about heart ailments, perhaps what comes to mind is the image of an old, infirm body or morbid obesity. What we do not picture is a newborn baby, those chubby-cheeked cherubs who are pure delight. In reality, however, one in every hundred infants is born with congenital heart disease (CHD). In India, CHD is the third leading cause of infant mortality. Nearly 240,000 babies are born with CHD annually, of which 60,000 cases are critical and require surgery. Yet, as Dr. Ganesh Mani describes, CHD is the "forgotten" heart disease in India: only one in four children who require heart surgery get the care they need. The problem lies more in access than treatment. In the United States, for example, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports survival rates of 95% and 69% in neonatal populations with noncritical CHD and critical CHD respectively. In contrast, in India, 90% of children with serious CHD do not get quality healthcare. A study conducted by Banothu et al found a mortality rate of 50% among 58 children with unoperated CHD in pediatric intensive care units. A number of factors underlie this health crisis: financial constraints, lack of infrastructure and expertise, and inadequate sensitization to the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Little baby Rudra was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary atresia, a life-threatening disease. Regular follow-up visits and screenings are vital to monitor Rudra's condition until he is ready for surgery.What is CHD and what causes it?CHD are structural problems that arise due to abnormal malformations of the heart or major blood vessels during the first eight weeks of fetal development. CHD ranges from simple (e.g., holes between the heart chambers) to complex (e.g., the absence of a heart chamber). Doctors do not know what exactly causes CHD but risk factors may include: genetics, alcohol consumption and smoking, and drug use during pregnancy. While there are numerous types of CHD, the most common are:Aortic valve stenosis: a valve that does not close and leaks bloodCoarctation of the aorta: a narrowing of the aortaEbstein's anomaly: a malformed heart that does not pump blood in the right directionPatent ductus arteriosis: a hole in the aortaPulmonary valve stenosis: a thickened or fused heart valveSeptal defects: holes between the heart wallsDiagnosing CHD in newborns and infantsSome cases of CHD do not cause any symptoms and may not even be diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood; others are detected before birth or immediately post-delivery. Key symptoms can encompass: Bluish skin, lips or nailsExcessive sleepinessFast breathing or trouble breathingFatigueHeart murmursWeak pulse or pounding heartbeatBirth can be jarring for babies. They are thrust from the dark, warm amniotic sac into the bright lights of the world. No longer cocooned, the baby cannot depend on the mother for nutrients and oxygen. A baby's first breath triggers a cascade of changes, including in how the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body. Heart defects can hamper this transition.Clinical presentation of CHD in newborns can be challenging to pinpoint. Early screening, therefore, is key. In the first few days after birth, neonatal infants should be checked for CHD using a pulse oximeter, which measures blood oxygen levels. Low blood oxygen levels may be a sign of CHD. Further evaluations may be conducted to confirm a diagnosis, including: Physical examination: a stethoscope is used to check for a heart murmur or abnormal heartbeatsChest X-ray: provides a visual of structural abnormalitiesElectrocardiogram: detects the heart's electrical activityEchocardiogram: creates images of the heart's valves and chambersCardiac catheterization: a test where a thin, hollow tube is guided through a blood vessel to the heart. This procedure can be used to identify anatomic deviations that are difficult to capture in an echo. Catheterization is also a treatment modality to fix simple cardiac defects.Magnetic resonance imaging: generates detailed structural pictures of the heart, enabling accurate measurements of the heart chambersThe importance of early intervention in treating CHDMost CHD problems are mild and can be managed through regular monitoring in an outpatient setting. However, infants with critical CHD need medical therapy within the first year of life. Untreated cases can lead to a host of complications: heart failure, blood clots, abnormal heart rhythms, stroke, liver disease, kidney failure, pulmonary hypertension, and heart valve disease. Severe defects require medication (e.g., digoxin to slow the heartbeat and boost heart pumping, diuretics to flush out fluid from the body, etc.) or corrective surgery. For complex defects that cannot be repaired surgically, a heart transplant may be necessary. But newborns and infants who are too small or weak are not good candidates for heart surgery. In these situations, palliative surgery may be employed as a stopgap to increase oxygen levels until the baby is ready for cardiac surgery.A CHD diagnosis can be anxiety-inducing. But medical advances have made early detection and management possible, giving the best chance for your little one to live a long, healthy life. At the ChildHeart Foundation, we are committed to making this vision a reality in India. By raising awareness about best practices, training frontline healthcare workers in timely detection, and advocating for every child to get the support they need, we strive to close gaps in access to quality pediatric heart care. After all, every heartbeat matters.SourcesAmerican Heart Association. (n.d.). About congenital heart defects. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/about-congenital-heart-defects American Heart Association. (n.d.). Common types of heart defects. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/about-congenital-heart-defects/common-types-of-heart-defects#:~:text=Jackson%20was%20born%20with%20tricuspid,once%20thought%20to%20be%20hopeless Children's HeartLink. (n.d.). Where we work: India. Retrieved from https://childrensheartlink.org/global-impact/where-we-work/india/ Children's HeartLink. (2025). India fact sheet. Retrieved from https://childrensheartlink.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/India-Fact-Sheet.pdf Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Congenital heart disease. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21674-congenital-heart-disease Eternal Hospital. (n.d.). Congenital heart disease and its types. Retrieved from https://www.eternalhospital.com/title/congenital-heart-disease-and-its-types#:~:text=Considering%20a%20birth%20prevalence%20of,the%20first%20year%20of%20life Grover, S. (2022). Mortality in congenital heart diseases: Review and progress in improving outcomes. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 41(3). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-022-04343-5 Hindustan Times. (2021). India's children and the grim reality of congenital heart diseases. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/indias-children-and-the-grim-reality-of-congenital-heart-diseases-101633330205860.html Indian Pediatrics. (2018). Congenital heart defects in children: A review of current trends in diagnosis and management. Indian Pediatrics, 55(12), 1075-1082. Retrieved from https://www.indianpediatrics.net/dec2018/dec-1075-1082.htm IJPediatrics. (2021). Congenital heart defects: A growing concern in children. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 88(4), 135-145. Retrieved from https://www.ijpediatrics.com/index.php/ijcp/article/view/4268 Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Care of the baby in the delivery room. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/care-of-the-baby-in-the-delivery-room#:~:text=The%20birth%20of%20a%20baby,from%20the%20nose%20and%20mouth Max Healthcare. (n.d.). Congenital heart defects in children. Retrieved from https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/congenital-heart-defects-in-children Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Cardiac catheterization. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cardiac-catheterization/about/pac-20384695 Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Congenital heart defects in children: Diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/congenital-heart-defects-children/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350080 Morrow, W. R., & Sargent, R. (2011). Congenital heart disease in the newborn requiring early intervention. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3145901/#sec25 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Congenital heart defects. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/congenital-heart-defects National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Treatment for congenital heart defects. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/congenital-heart-defects/treatment NHS. (n.d.). Types of congenital heart disease. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/congenital-heart-disease/types/ The Conversation. (2022). Curious kids: Why do babies cry when they come out of their mum? 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