What are congenital heart defects?
Congenital heart defects are disorders of the heart or central (main) blood vessels present at birth, such as abnormalities of the heart or heart valves, defects of vessels such as the aorta and pulmonary artery or combinations of defects. Most children with congenital heart defects are treated with surgery or catheter-based techniques, usually in infancy or early childhood.
Key facts
|
Incidence - new cases in 2003 |
Deaths in 2005 |
| Transposition of great vessels |
103 |
8 |
| Tetralogy of Fallot |
82 |
6 |
| Hypoplastic left heart syndrome |
37 |
25 |
| Coarctation of the aorta |
92 |
3 |
Did you know?
- Transposition of great vessels, coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of Fallot and hypoplastic left heart syndrome are the main congenital defects that affect the cardiovascular system.
- Congenital heart defects are one of the biggest killers of infants less than one year old.
- Trends in rates of these congenital heart defects were stable between 1998 and 2003.
Further information
Publications showing detailed statistics (free full text)
Hospitalisations from congenital heart defects (hospital data cubes)
The AIHW National Perinatal Statistics Unit [external link] publishes regular reports on congenital anomalies, including congenital heart defects.