Heart defects at the time of birth are mostly structural issues like holes and leaky valves. Valve defects, for instance, can mean one of the valves is too narrow or completely closed, making it tough for blood to get through. In other cases, the valve doesn’t close properly leading to blood leakage. The inside chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles) might have holes or passageways in between them, causing the blood to mix when it should not. Abnormality in blood vessels means blood that should go to, say the lungs, flows to other parts of the body. These defects can lead to heart failure.

It’s possible that there may be no symptoms for an existing heart-related birth defect. Otherwise, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, cyanosis (bluish tint to skin, lips, and fingernails), heart murmur, poor weight gain, fainting, lung infections and inability to exercise can be indicative of a CHD.

A CHD might not require any treatment in its simple conditions. However, a baby diagnosed with severe heart defects needs special medical care soon after birth. Treatment may involve medicines, catheter procedures, surgeries, and heart transplants, depending on the type and severity of the defect, also a child's age and general health.