How common is hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)?
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a very rare heart defect. It occurs in about 1,000 newborns in the U.S. every year.
What type of follow-up care does my child need?
Your child needs lifelong monitoring by a cardiologist. When they become an adult, they can transition to our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program. A child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is at risk for developing an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), leaky heart valves or other heart problems that require treatment.
Will my child have an active life?
Even after surgery, your child only has half of a working heart. Your child’s exercise capacity will be about two-thirds of normal levels. Although some physical activities may be safe, it’s best to follow the advice of your child’s cardiologist. Most children need to limit involvement in contact sports or other strenuous physical activities.