Every heartbeat tells a story, but for many babies in India, that story is interrupted before it even begins. Thousands of infants are born with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), yet nearly one-fifth of these children are not diagnosed in time.
Even though screening programmes are improving, many babies remain undetected until the condition becomes serious. The main reasons for this delay are a lack of proper screening and limited clinical awareness. When CHD is diagnosed late, treatable heart problems can turn into life-threatening emergencies.
Early detection is critical. Treating CHD on time can prevent lifelong disabilities and give children the chance to grow up healthy. Medical experts say that the journey to a healthy heart starts even before birth, during pregnancy.
During the 18 to 20-week anomaly scan, doctors can detect up to 85% of major heart defects. If a problem is identified at this stage, expecting mothers can have a foetal echocardiogram, a detailed heart scan for the baby in the womb. This early step gives doctors time to plan medical care immediately after birth, ensuring the baby receives the treatment needed without delay.
Early detection also gives parents time to prepare emotionally and understand the care their child will need. With awareness and timely screening, many infants with CHD can survive and lead healthy lives, proving that early action truly saves lives.
Healthcare experts stress the need to strengthen screening programmes and raise awareness among both doctors and parents, so no child is left unseen until it’s too late.