While hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) statistics do indeed point to a very serious condition, they do not tell the whole story of this condition. As is often the case with medical statistics, it’s important to have a strong background in the things that create those statistics to begin with. Mere numbers do not tell the entire story. Straightforward hypoplastic left heart syndrome statistics do not reveal everything you need to know about this unfortunate condition.
A Look At Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Statistics
As you’re going to learn from HLHS statistics, this is not a particularly common condition. Nonetheless, it is indeed a condition with serious symptoms and consequences. It certainly deserves to be taken seriously.
As you study HLHS stats, here’s what you need to know:
1. As mentioned before, hypoplastic left heart syndrome is categorized as a birth defect.
2. HLHS is defined by the fact that it is capable of affecting how the blood flows through the heart.
3. Over the course of a baby’s development throughout the pregnancy, HLHS occurs when the left side of their heart fails to form properly.
4. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is what is commonly known as congenital heart defect. Keep in mind that “congenital” refers to a condition that is present at the time of birth.
5. Approximately nine hundred and sixty babies are born each year with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. To look at this statistic in a slightly different light, keep in mind that this number means that for every 4, 344 babies born in the United States every year, roughly one of them will be born with this type of congenital heart defect.
6. When hypoplastic left heart syndrome occurs, a number of components to the left side of the heart that have failed to develop properly are impacted.
7. Some of the impacted components to the left side of the heart include the left ventricle, the mitral valves, and the ascending part of the aorta. All of these areas are either too small or underdeveloped. In some cases, certain parts of the left side of the heart, such as mitral valves, are not formed at all.
8. In many cases, an atrial septal defect is found in babies who suffer from HLHS. This is realized in the form of a hole that comes to exist between the right and left uppermost chambers of the child’s heart.
These are some of the basic facts and figures surrounding hypoplastic let heart syndrome. When all of these things are occurring in the body of the baby, the left side of the heart is unable to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body, which is what that portion of the heart does in the body of a child who does not have any congenital conditions. Over the course of the days preceding the child’s birth, it becomes difficult for the body to get the oxygen-rich blood it needs.
Additional Facts to Consider
There are additional things to keep in mind with HLHS:
1. Unfortunately, it is not known at this time what is causing hypoplastic left heart syndrome to occur in the first place. Although it is important to remember that some heart defects in babies come about through genes or chromosomes. Heart defects can also potentially come about through a mix of influence from the genes, and whatever the mother takes into her body over the course of pregnancy. This can include environmental components and diet.
2. An ultrasound can potentially lead to an HLHS diagnosis during the pregnancy stage.
3. Because the normal openings of the heart are open during the first few days of the child’s life, it can be difficult to notice the symptoms of HLHS after pregnancy. However, if the child has difficulty breathing, a pounding heart, a weak pulse, or an ashen/blue-like tone to their skin color, the possibility of HLHS comes to the forefront.
4. Medicines might be utilized in the treatment of HLHS. There are also a number of surgery options, such as the Norwood Procedure.
Regarding Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Statistics
There are a number of facts and figures that concern the birth defect known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The fact that this is a birth defect is certainly interesting, but it’s really only the beginning of the various components that must be weighed to understand the severity of HLHS.
Hypoplastic let heart syndrome impacts the body in a variety of ways. It has a number of serious symptoms, which play a strong role in the current life expectancy rate for those who have the condition from birth. In addition to all of this, causes and risk factors need to be understood beforehand, as well.
All of this information, in addition to other things, will play a strong role in supporting your ability to understand everything that concerns the details surrounding hypoplastic left heart syndrome statistics.