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• Heart disease >> Parents of children with congenital heart disease >> Child aged over 5 >> Interview CH19 >> Describes how her son managed to come first in the running race at the school sport day.

Luke (1996-2002) was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, transposition of the great arteries, VSD, pulmonary stenosis and double inlet left ventricle. He died when he was nearly 6 yrs old after his fourth operation (not including cardiac catheters). He had epilepsy and asthma and was quite ill at times. Medication: warfarin, medicines for asthma and epilepsy, diuretics after operations. Family live 15 miles from the specialist hospital.

• Heart disease >> Parents of children with congenital heart disease >> Child aged over 5 >> Interview CH24 >> Describes the physical improvements in her son's health following his pacemaker operation.

Their son was diagnosed with Bradycardia during pregnancy. A VSD, PDA and a double aortic arch were diagnosed when he was 3 weeks old. Treatment: surgery at 8 weeks old to correct double aortic arch and to close pulmonary duct artery. Increasing drop in heartbeat (Bradycardia) led to emergency pacemaker fitted at 6yrs old. Current medication: none.

• Heart disease >> Parents of children with congenital heart disease >> Child aged 4-5 >> Interview CH09 >> Her 5 year old son who had a complex heart condition has plenty of energy, is very outgoing and can stand up for himself at school.

Their son was diagnosed with Coarctation of the Aorta, PDA, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Hypoplastic Aortic Arch, VSD, Mitral Stenosis and Pulmonary Hypertension. Treatment: Surgery at 3 weeks old, mitral valve replacement at 2.5 years. 2 cardiac catheterisations at 2½ yrs and at 3½ yrs. Further mitral valve replacement planned. Current medication: warfarin.

• Heart disease >> Parents of children with congenital heart disease >> Child aged 1-3 >> Interview CH07 >> This 3 year old is severely limited by a complex heart condition; gets out of breath easily, poor circulation, can't walk far, has to avoid accidents

Felix was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Ventricle, VSD, Mitral Atresia, Pulmonary Atresia, Right Atrial Isomerism, aorta arising from the right ventricle, TAPVD and Bilateral Superior Vena Cava and no spleen. Treatment: modified BT shunt (6 days old) open heart surgery (3 months and 6 months), 1st stage Fontan (10 months). Further surgery planned. Current medication: warfarin, enanapril, frusemide, penicillin.

• Heart disease >> Parents of children with congenital heart disease >> Child aged 4-5 >> Interview CH16 >> Her 5 year old daughter who has pulmonary stenosis has plenty of energy and goes to tennis lessons, swimming lessons and dancing every week.

Eleanor was diagnosed with pulmonary stenosis. Treatment: a balloon catheter operation at six weeks old. No further treatment planned. Current medication: none.

• Heart disease >> Parents of children with congenital heart disease >> Child aged 1-3 >> Interview CH10 >> Explains that their son who has not yet had surgery, is not able to join in with all the things he would like to. He tends to crouch when he needs to

Their son was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries, ASD, VSD, Atrial Isomerism and Pulmonary Stenosis. He has Dextro cardia and Bronchial Isomerism. Treatment: none given yet, surgery planned for when their son is older. Current medication: ventolin & flixotide for asthma.

• Heart disease >> Parents of children with congenital heart disease >> Child aged 1-3 >> Interview CH14 >> She comments that her son knows his physical limitations and he'll sit down and do a jigsaw or puzzle.

Sam was diagnosed with a complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD), pulmonary atresia and right atrial isomerism. Other problems: No spleen and mal-rotation of the gut. Treatment: A BT shunt at 24 hrs old, followed by the Glenn procedure at 6 months. More surgery planned. Current medication: warfarin, penicillin.