Children’s Heart Month is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of congenital heart disease and the needs of the children and families that it affects.
Few people realise that one in every 133 children is born with a heart condition, making this the most common birth defect in the UK . Most primary schools will have at least one or two children with heart conditions, whilst secondary schools will often have one or two heart children in every year group.
Sadly, heart conditions are also a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths both in this country and throughout the world. Anne Keatley-Clarke , Chief Executive of the Children’s Heart Federation says, “Most people associate heart defects with older people and think they are caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. They don’t realise how many children are born with heart conditions or acquire them early in life as a result of illness.”
The Children’s Heart Federation is keen to raise awareness about the 150, 000 or so children and young people currently living with congenital heart disease, and is urging everyone to find out more by visiting their website www.chfed.org.uk. Anne Keatley-Clarke explains, “Raising awareness is vital if we are to help young heart patients and their families get the treatment and support they deserve. We’re planning lots of awareness raising talks and next month we are taking our message to MP’s at a special event at the House of Commons”.
Heart Facts
 Congenital heart conditions are the most common birth defect in the UK, and a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths world-wide.
Every year, a further 500 to 1,000 children develop heart conditions after birth.
There are about 70,000 young people living with a heart condition.
The Children`s Heart Federation is an umbrella organisation with 23 member organisations, dedicated to helping children with congenital or acquired heart disease and their families in the UK and Ireland.
CHF provides information and support through its free infoline 0808 808 5000, open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm, and its website www.chfed.org.uk
February 2008
Back To Our Main News Section | 
Sperm Damage Passed Down Generations
