Congenital cardiovascular disorders

Abstract

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is defined as an abnormality of cardiovascular development leading to structural and/or functional problems that can affect the individual at any stage from fetal to adult life. It also encompasses abnormalities encountered in postnatal adaptation, such as persistence of the ductus arteriosus. Cardiovascular abnormalities, as a group, are the most common cause of congenital anomaly and account for around 1% of live births.