Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a major congenital heart defect in which the heart is incompletely formed and too small to support the growing baby. Babies with hypoplastic left heart syndrome need surgery to survive.
As recently as a decade ago, a diagnosis of HLHS meant death. With new surgical advances, the prognosis is improving all the time. Still, doctors offer parents the option of simply taking the child home to die. Heart transplants offered some hope for some children, but many died while waiting for a heart, and many died of complications after the surgery. A new three-stage surgery offers new hope without the ethical and medical problems that come with heart transplant surgery.
Benjamin's Heart
Benjamin was doing well after his first surgery, but confusion
among doctors and hospitals during a spell of illness led to unnecessary
delays and ultimately to Benjamin's death.
Benjamin's Story
From diagnosis on, this Benjamin's family tells his story.
Daniel's
Heart
Daniel's hypoplastic left heart syndrome was treated with surgery.
Hypoplastic
Left Heart Syndrome
Information about progress in the past decade.
Joshua ... Our
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Miracle
Joshua was diagnosed with HLHS the day before he was born.
Left Heart Matters
Networking and support. Includes links to family homepages sharing
experiences with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
For more information on congenital conditions:
Give us your input about providing options other than abortion to parents facing prenatal diagnoses at the Forum.
ZZZNEWSLETTERSIGNUP1ZZZ