What is congenital heart disease?

Congenital heart disease is a term that describes a group of heart abnormalities that occur in a fetus before birth, according to WebMD. These defects occur while the fetus is still developing and may or may not produce symptoms at birth.

Congenital heart defects are present in nearly one out of every 100 children, says WebMD. These defects range in severity and may affect the child's heart valves, heart walls or heart muscle. Typically, congenital heart defects are diagnosed while the baby is still in utero or shortly after birth. Depending on the severity of the defect, the child may need medication or surgery to fix the issue.