From small holes in the heart to abnormalities in blood circulation, congenital heart disease (CHD) covers a wide array of conditions. Pediatric Cardiologists Dr. Jake Kleinmahon and Dr. Thomas Young explain more about caring for children with CHD.

Congenital heart diseases are present at birth. When you hear the word disease, an infection often comes to mind. But with congenital heart disease, it is important to note that it is a problem with the structure of the heart. CHDs can affect how blood flows through the heart and out to the rest of the body, and they can vary from mild to severe. Because there is a wide array of heart conditions that can cause CHD, Dr. Kleinmahon says, "We really need to be specific when we talk about congenital heart disease for each patient."

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect. At Ochsner Hospital for Children, a passionate, highly talented team led by gifted pediatric cardiologists and internationally renowned congenital heart surgeons offer care that is second to none. Our team provides advanced care for even the most complex pediatric cases and gets results. Our dedicated professionals have made it their mission to provide excellent outcomes for every CHD patient.

Dr. Young says, " It is important to know that we see a lot of children with congenital heart disease, which you are born with, but we also see kids who acquire heart disease. More and more, we are caring for kids with high blood pressure and other potential risk factors for developing heart disease as they get older. We are trying to care for those children early so we can prevent them from developing heart problems as adults."

For more than 40 years, parents from all around the world have entrusted their children’s care to the pediatric cardiology team at Ochsner Hospital for Children. Whether your child’s heart disease is congenital or acquired, there is no better place in the region to seek care. Comprehensive, leading-edge care with exceptional outcomes is available right here in your backyard.

Ochsner Hospital for Children has been ranked among the Top 50 Children’s Hospitals in the country for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery specialties by U.S. News and World Report. Ochsner Hospital for Children is Louisiana's only ranked children's hospital.