HJNO Mar/Apr 2021

38 MAR / APR 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS COLUMN CHILDREN’S HEALTH About Pediatric Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Pediatric Population CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS are structural problems arising from abnor- mal formation of the heart or major blood vessels, with at least 18 distinct types rec- ognized and many additional anatomic variations. Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects make it possible to correct most defects, even those once thought to be hopeless. Today, specialized pediatric cardiology providers offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients with a vast range of congenital cardiovascular disorders from before they are born, through child- hood and into their adult years. Below are eight things to know about our progress in pediatric heart disease: 1. Prenatal detection of CHD Often it is critical that a baby receives a Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defects, affecting nine out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States. CHD diagnosis during the mother’s preg- nancy to reduce serious complications af- ter birth. Advances inmaternal fetal care in recent years, with focused routine prenatal screening protocol have vastly improved detection rates of critical cardiac abnor- malities before a baby is born. Neverthe- less, there is considerable disparity in the rates of prenatal detection of CHD with Louisiana having one of the lowest rates in the country. Efforts are being made to improve the rate of detection in Louisiana. 2. Innovations in cardiac intervention With advancements in cardiac catheter- ization, many children can undergo cor- rection of their heart problem without the need for surgery. Pediatric interventional cardiologists use specialized techniques to treat a variety of problems in the cath- eterization laboratories, including trans- cutaneous closure of atrial and ventricular septal defects. Patent ductus arteriosus can be closed in children and in premature babies less than one kilogram. In addition, new cardiac valves can also be deployed for a variety of conditions such as tetral- ogy of Fallot. Until a few years ago, these problems could only be treated with sur- gery. Now with these specialized catheter- ization techniques, patients can be treated one day and discharged from the hospital the next. 3. Pediatricians’ ability to interpret EKG Pediatricians are on the frontline for detecting congenital and acquired pedi- atric cardiovascular disease. Often, part 8 THINGS TO KNOW