Management strategies for congenital heart disease (CHD) in the neonate
have evolved significantly. Advances in surgical technique, medical technology, and
perioperative care have resulted in excellent post-repair survival, even for complex
types of CHD. Furthermore, with the increased availability and accuracy of prenatal
diagnosis by fetal echocardiography, the postnatal management of these newborns can
often be anticipated and planned. The prenatal diagnosis of CHD has been associated
with decreased morbidity and mortality for some forms of major CHD. As most cases
of major CHD are not identified prenatally, clinical examination of the newborn and
pulse oximetry are also important means of identifying additional cases. In summary,
to improve the outcomes of a neonate with CHD, surgical repair or catheter
intervention may be offered. For this purpose, early recognition of a neonate with CHD
is necessary for stabilization and timely intervention.
Keywords: Cardiac catheterization, Cardiac surgery, Cardiac surgical procedure,
Congenital heart disease, Neonate, Prenatal diagnosis.
