INNOVATIONS IN CARDIAC CARE CAN SAVE AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
1 in Every 120 Babies in the U.S. is born with Heart Disease
*February is Heart Health Awareness Month*
GUEST:
Jonathan Chen, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Cardiac Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
MORE ABOUT DR. JONATHAN CHEN:
Dr. Chen is the Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Co-Director of the Cardiac Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His clinical research has primarily been directed toward surgical issues in complex congenital heart care and cardiac transplantation (focusing on advances with operative techniques, outcomes research and transplantation for congenital heart disease), with a particular emphasis on the development of mechanical ventricular assist devices for children, as well as stem-cell-based valved conduits for pediatric application.
The Cardiac Center at CHOP cares for babies prior to birth, infants, children, and young adults with congenital and acquired heart conditions.
The birth of a child is a joyous occasion for an entire family. But for the families of the more than 40,000 American babies born each year with congenital heart disease (CHD), it also brings fear and uncertainty. There are multiple types of congenital heart disease and for those parents whose children do have a heart condition, they may not be fully aware of the various treatment options.
For example, cardiac catheterization is a procedure that can be used to both diagnose and treat many heart conditions. It is a highly specialized procedure that requires the expertise of a skilled and experienced team. In CHOP’s Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, a team of dedicated specialists performs more than 1,400 cardiac catheterization procedures each year on newborns, infants, children, and young adults.
Did You Know?
- 1 in 120 babies is born with heart disease each year in the US – that’s 40,000 babies every year.
- Congenital heart disease is approximately 60 times more prevalent than childhood cancer.
- About 25% of babies with CHD have a critical form and generally need intervention during their first year of life.
- The Cardiac Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia team performs more than 850 pediatric heart surgeries a year, including open heart and closed heart procedures and heart transplants.
- Over 85% of babies born in the U.S. with CHD now live to at least age 18.
