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Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN)

  • CYSHN Home
  • About CYSHN
  • Information and Resources
  • Diseases and Conditions

Programs

  • Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis
  • Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
  • Follow Along Program
  • Longitudinal Follow-up for Newborn Screening Conditions

Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN)

  • CYSHN Home
  • About CYSHN
  • Information and Resources
  • Diseases and Conditions

Programs

  • Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis
  • Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
  • Follow Along Program
  • Longitudinal Follow-up for Newborn Screening Conditions
Contact Info
Children and Youth with Special Health Needs
651-201-3650
800-728-5420 (toll-free)
health.cyshn@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Children and Youth with Special Health Needs
651-201-3650
800-728-5420 (toll-free)
health.cyshn@state.mn.us

Atrial Septal Defect

Condition Description

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart condition where there is a hole (defect) in the wall (septum) between the upper chambers of the heart (atria). In early fetal development, the heart starts out as a single tube that gradually differentiates into 4 chambers. Abnormalities can arise at several steps in the process, resulting in defects in the muscular wall that normally separate the atria.

An ASD may not be detected in childhood, but if it is large it is usually apparent by at least 30 years of age. Small ASDs may not be detected until later in life; they will often be detected because of heart enlargement and a specific sound of the heart (fixed split of the second heart sound). Children with symptomatic ASDs may fatigue easily, have rapid breathing with shortness of breath, and grow slowly.

Using data from Minnesota births between 2014-2018, we found 859 babies were born with atrial septal defects, resulting in a rate of 26 babies per 10,000 births. Annually, about 172 babies were born with atrial septal defects.

Available Resources

  • CDC: Facts About Atrial Septal Defect
  • Congenital Heart Disease Resources Brochure (PDF)
    Cover of the Congenital Heart Disease Resource Brochure
Tags
  • atrial septal defect
Last Updated: 09/06/2024

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