2025
Overview
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe congenital heart defect in which the structures on the left side of the heart, including the left ventricle, mitral and aortic valves, and ascending aorta, are critically underdeveloped, leaving the heart unable to pump oxygen-rich blood effectively to the body. It is one of a group of conditions classified as single-ventricle physiology, because the underdeveloped left ventricle cannot support the systemic circulation and the heart functions with one effective pumping chamber. Newborns with HLHS typically require specialized care soon after birth and management through a staged series of surgical operations or, in some cases, heart transplantation. Beyond cardiac intervention, infants with single-ventricle physiology face significant challenges in growth and feeding, making nutritional status an important determinant of outcomes. Research within this pediatric health and nutrition journal has examined the factors that affect nutritional status in infants with single-ventricle physiology, reflecting the close link between congenital heart disease and the nutritional support these vulnerable patients require. This page gathers peer-reviewed, open-access research relevant to hypoplastic left heart syndrome and the broader care, growth, and nutritional needs of infants with complex congenital heart conditions.
Research published in this journal
2 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
2017