What is a significant complication of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)?

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a congenital heart defect characterized by underdevelopment of the left side of the heart, which results in critical hemodynamic instability. One of the most significant complications associated with HLHS is indeed the high mortality risk in the first month of life. Infants with this condition often present with severe cardiac failure soon after birth and may require intensive interventions to sustain life, including surgeries or heart transplantation. Without timely and adequate treatment, many infants will not survive past the neonatal period.

The critical nature of HLHS means that immediate and appropriate medical management is essential to improve outcomes and reduce mortality. Consequently, the potential for death from cardiac defects during the first month is a key takeaway in understanding the severe implications of this condition.

While other complications such as cyanosis, arrhythmias, and infection risk due to diuretics are relevant in the broader context of HLHS management, they do not carry the same immediate life-threatening weight as the likely death from the underlying cardiac defects within the first month. Therefore, recognizing the high mortality associated with HLHS helps underscore the urgency of neonatal care in affected infants.