Forgotten Children At 18
February 19, 2009 by jody
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
I received some very interesting information this morning from Kaylea Livingston of Ohio State University Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
I found that children born with heart defects are all but forgotten when they reach 18.
Caitlyn MacKay underwent heart surgery when she was just 90 days old, for an extensive heart defect. Throughout child-hood she had consistent care; she is living proof of what has been accomplished in recent years.
It is estimated that 30 to 40 thousand children out of a million are now receiving specialized care.
The way health care stands today 95% of the children that have gotten specialized care throughout their child-hood will find that it stops at 18.
Doctor Curt Daniels of Ohio State University is participating in a study following children into adulthood that have congenital heart disease. The Nationwide study is reaching out to those that have lost their health care after turning 18. Doctor Daniels and others are trying to find alternative ways to best treat these patients.
To learn more about these programs click here, Adult congenital heart disease.
