Supporting the family left behind - Loss of a child to congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Advances in medical and surgical therapies for children with congenital heart disease have both prolonged and enhanced the lives of children and their families affected by congenital and acquired heart disease. While many of these children will ultimately lead happy and productive lives, a significant proportion of this patient population will succumb to their disease. This paper will briefly highlight the incidence and outcomes of congenital heart disease as well as provide an in-depth review of techniques, such as hospital-based bereavement programs, for supporting the families of those children who do not survive.