According to Dr. Ramakanta Panda, cardiac surgeon, and CEO of the Asian Heart Institute (AHI), Mumbai, 78,000 infants born with congenital heart disease die in India annually due to inadequate healthcare facilities and a lack of awareness. In contrast, the number of children dying from heart failure or related problems has dropped by 50% in advanced countries.

He explained that the first six weeks of pregnancy are critical for the development of the baby′s heart. In this period, the heart begins to take shape, the major blood vessels that run to and from the heart also begin to develop, and the heart starts beating. Several studies have shown that genetics, certain medical conditions, some medications, and environmental or lifestyle factors like smoking are some of the risk factors resulting in congenital complications.

Dr. Panda noted that pediatric heart failure remains a pressing issue as it is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 worldwide. He stated that children with heart failure face a higher mortality rate in emergencies compared with adults. However, there is a major difference in the cures for heart diseases between children and adults. There are multiple FDA-approved medications for adults to treat heart failure, compared to children, who have only one such option available.

He advised that as the exact cause of heart disease is unknown, it would be best to follow some of the precautions, such as no drinking or smoking, regular vaccinations, managing chronic health issues, checking the blood sugar levels regularly, taking multi-vitamins, and consulting a doctor before taking any medication.

 (Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1019374 )