Congenital heart disease refers to problems that occur in the heart's development due to certain reasons, mainly indicating structural abnormalities occurring before or at birth.
The severity of the condition varies, and symptoms largely depend on the size and complexity of the malformation. Some mild congenital heart diseases, like an atrial septal defect, can heal naturally within a year without causing any symptoms.
Some simple malformations, such as a ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus, may exhibit no obvious early symptoms, but complex and severe congenital heart diseases will manifest serious symptoms or even life-threatening conditions shortly after birth. Common symptoms include difficulty breathing when eating or crying.
The most severe congenital heart disease is called Tetralogy of Fallot, which includes several malformations: ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, pulmonary stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
