Congenital Heart Defects and Immunodeficiency
Congenital heart defects (CHD) do affect the immune system and it can cause children and babies to have weakened immune systems or immunodeficiency
Many children who are born with a Congenital Heart Defect will also suffer from immunodeficiency. This can result in children suffering from more infections, chronic illnesses and permanent organ damage.
Knowing how to manage your child’s immunodeficiency is the first step in preventing serious infections and helping them to live a healthy life.
Do congenital heart defects affect the immune system?
Yes, congenital heart defects (CHD) do affect the immune system and it can cause children and babies to have weakened immune systems or immunodeficiency.
Gathering as much information as you can about your child’s CHD can help you get a better understanding about how it might affect their immune system and therefore, provide you with the knowledge you need to take any necessary precautions.
CHDs that can affect the immune system include:
- Ventricular Septal Defects
- Atrial Septal Defects
- Complete and Partial Atrioventricular Septal Defects
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
What is immunodeficiency?
Immunodeficiency is a state in which the body’s immune system becomes compromised or is entirely absent and is therefore unable to fight off infections, diseases or bacteria.
One of the most common signs that your child may have an immunodeficiency is that they will likely have more frequent, longer lasting or harder to treat infections compared to someone with a typical immune system.
Signs of immunodeficiency that you may also see in children with a CHD include:
- Frequent and recurring sinus infections, ear infections, bronchitis, skin infections and pneumonia
- Delayed growth and development
- Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid and type 1 diabetes
- Digestive issues including loss of appetite, cramping and nausea

The risks of immunodeficiency with congenital heart defects
Children who have a congenital heart defect and immunodeficiency have an increased risk of a number of different complications.
Endocarditis
Immunodeficiency is associated with higher risks of CHD patients developing endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valve.
Endocarditis is a life-threatening condition that causes inflammation of the heart’s inner lining and valves. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by a fungus that immunodeficient patients struggle to fight off.
It can be treated with medications, surgery, blood thinners or antifungal medicines; but in some cases, if it is not treated soon enough, it can be fatal.
Frequent infections
As we’ve mentioned, immunodeficiency is associated with frequent and persistent infections in children with congenital heart defects.
Some of the most common infections include:
- Bronchitis – The airways leading to the lungs become inflamed and fill with mucus, causing a cough.
- Pneumonia – An infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. It causes the lung tissue to swell and can cause fluid to build-up in the lungs.
- Sinusitis – Inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Sinusitis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections.
- Otitis Media – An ear infection that affects the middle ear. It can be caused by cold, sore throats, allergies and respiratory infections that prevent fluid from draining from the middle ear.
- Recurrent oral fungal infections – Usually caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a genus of yeast, which is present in the mouth and digestive system. These conditions can usually be treated with antifungal medications.
If conditions are not correctly treated or recognised in time, there may also be an increased risk of death in CHD patients who are either immunocompromised or have immunodeficiency.
Are children more at risk with immunodeficiency?
Children who have weakened or no immune system do not have the same ability to respond normally to an infection compared to those who have working immune systems. This puts this at an increased risk of common infections during childhood.
However, children who suffer from both a congenital heart defect and immunodeficiency are more likely to suffer from uncommon infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Infections are also likely to be more severe since the immune system cannot effectively clear the infection.
Being cautious with immunodeficiency and heart defects
Some infections can be passed from person to person, whereas others may occur after your child has been exposed to contaminated food or water, or from exposure in their environment. Efforts to prevent your child becoming infected are extremely important.
Some general prevention methods include:
- Teaching those in your household good hand-washing practices, including your child who has a CHD. Thorough hand washing is a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses between people. Make sure you always have antibacterial soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer at home. Hand sanitizer should also be used while you are out of the home.
- Make sure your child avoids contact with those who are sick, including anyone who has a runny nose, a cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or rashes.
- Your doctor may recommend wearing a surgical mask when your child is outside the home in order to avoid contact with bacteria, viruses or fungi that could be in the environment.
- Limit contact with animals, including household pets. Scratches, bites and even licks can cause bacteria to spread.
- Make sure everyone in your home has their appropriate vaccines to reduce the potential exposure to vaccine-preventable infections. You should also ensure your child receives all of their vaccines and yearly flu jabs.
- Regular check ups at the dentist, good tooth brushing, good oral hygiene and a healthy diet are all key too.