Do babies always die if a congenital heart problem?

Not as likely today: Remarkable improvements in pre-delivery diagnosis and after birth interventions have made congenital heart problems much more manageable today. With newer technology, a heart defect can often be noted before delivery, then you probably will be advised to deliver at a hospital with a dedicated pediatric cardiology team on standby. There life-saving surgery or medication can be given immediately.

No: In fact, most babies with congenital heart disease are expected to reach adulthood. Some of the more severe lesions have up to a 30% mortality in the first year, however these are less common than the more treatable defects.