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 …read more

Thanks to Rita- we have another great question! So here is our Dear Kendra for the weekend.
Just curious if roller coaster’s are out for all children with congenital heart defects? My son has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and is getting to the age where he is asking to ride the more adult, scarier rides. Let me know if anyone out there has HLHS or a child with HLHS and share your experience.
Thanks
Rita- Thanks for the question again. Roller coasters… ahhh! I personally find them very scary and the thought of my kids getting on them is even scarier, …read more

I was examining my search items for this site as of recent and found quite a few for heterotaxy. So this is a Dear Kendra of sorts…
What is heterotaxy?  
First, heterotaxy has a prevalence of less then 0.1% but is thought to account for1% of infant mortality.  Heterotaxy is also called asplenia. Asplenia is a heterogeneous disease that primarily affects the asymmetric organs, including the heart, liver, intestines, and spleen. Heterogeneous meaning genetic.  Primarily, this disease includes cyanotic congenital heart disease, asplenia, and intestinal malrotation. Asplenia is thought to have some familial predisposition. Embryologically, it results from failure of development …read more