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 the fifth year in a row, Ochsner Hospital for Children has been ranked among the Top 50 Children’s Hospitals in the country for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News and World Report. The U.S. News Best Children’s Hospitals rankings rely on clinical data and on an annual survey of pediatric specialists. The rankings methodology factors in patient outcomes, such as mortality and infection rates, as well as available clinical resources and compliance with best practices. Ochsner Hospital for Children is Louisiana's only ranked children's hospital.

Ochsner Hospital for Children has offered exceptional pediatric care for more than 75 years. Ochsner offers the only pediatric heart and liver transplant program in the state, serving over 76,000 children every year with 140 physicians specializing in more than 30 pediatric specialties and sub-specialties. Ochsner Hospital for Children’s flagship facility is located in New Orleans, with subspecialty clinics across Louisiana and in Mississippi.