Overall mortality has significantly declined over the past few decades. Virtually all children with simple defects survive into adulthood. Although exercise capacity may be limited, most people lead normal or nearly normal lives. For more complex lesions, limitations are common. Some children with congenital heart disease have developmental delay or other learning difficulties.
Successful treatment requires highly specialized care.
Severe congenital heart disease requires extensive financial resources both in and out of the hospital. Children with developmental delay also require community and school-based resources to achieve optimum functioning. The presence of a serious congenital heart defect often results in an enormous emotional and financial strain on young families at a very vulnerable time. Not nearly enough. Compared to adult acquired heart disease, less information is known regarding optimal treatments and outcomes for most congenital heart defects.