BIRTH DEFECTS

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
In this condition the structures on the left side of the heart, including the aorta, the aortic valve, the left ventricle, and the mitral valve are all underdeveloped. The ductus arteriosus is a connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that remains open while the baby is in the womb and for a few days after birth, and this allows blood to be diverted from the pulmonary artery to the aorta. A defect in the atrial septal wall (the wall separating the left atrium from the right atrium) allows oxygenated blood from the left atrium to go into the right atrium and then can be pumped to the body via the pulmonary artery, ductus ateriosus, and finally the aorta. Because of these detours, the baby will often seem normal at birth. But when the ductus arteriosus closes after a few days, the baby will quickly need medical attention. This defect is usally fatal within the first days or weeks of life if left untreated. A baby with this condition will need to undergo a series of surgeries or a heart transplantation.

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