Pediatric Heart Program

Our pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons provide care for children of all ages -- from fetuses still in the womb through infants, young children, and adolescents. This can include a heart problem your child was born with (called a congenital heart defect) or one he or she developed in childhood.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine
If your child is diagnosed with a heart defect before birth, we will work with our maternal-fetal experts to plan for your baby’s delivery and begin providing appropriate care as soon as your child is born.

Evaluation for Potential Heart Problems
If your child has concerning symptoms, such as chest pain, or findings such as a heart murmur, high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol, we offer thorough examination and testing to determine whether your child has a heart problem.

Care for a Wide Range of Heart Conditions
Our skilled pediatric cardiologists provide expert care for complex heart conditions such as major structural abnormalities, arrhythmias, or cardiomyopathy. For diseases or conditions that can affect the heart, such as Marfan syndrome, we provide ongoing monitoring and management of your child’s heart health.

Advanced Devices and Procedures
If your child needs a device or procedure -- such as such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, or catheter ablation to manage arrhythmia or other heart rhythm disorder -- our pediatric interventional cardiologists can offer the technology or technique most likely to benefit your child.

The Latest Surgical Techniques
Our skilled pediatric cardiac surgeons and their teams perform a range of delicate and demanding heart surgeries, from repairing structural defects to heart transplants.

Support for Your Child's Developmental Needs
Our Pediatric Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Clinic has a specialized group of pediatricians, therapists, neuropsychologists, dietitians, social workers, and nurses who monitor and support the developmental needs of infants and toddlers with complex congenital heart disease.

Coordinated Care
If your child needs care from experts outside of pediatric cardiology, we coordinate your child’s care with Duke pediatric specialists in neurology, gastroenterology, genetics, physical and occupational therapy, behavioral health, and other areas so your child achieves and maintains the highest quality of life possible.

Support Services
We understand your entire family is affected when you have a sick child. Our family-centered care includes support groups, wellness programs, and education for siblings to help them understand what is happening to their brother or sister. If your child needs to stay in the hospital, our Ronald McDonald House Family Room offers amenities to make your family’s stay as comfortable as possible, including showers, computers with internet access, and laundry facilities.

Child Life
Our Child Life program helps your young child cope with hospitalization through play, procedure preparation, and self-expression activities. They can meet other children going through similar experiences in our activity room.

Convenient Locations
We try to make it as convenient as possible for your child to receive the care he or she needs. If you’re having a hard time getting to your child’s appointments, talk to one of our nurse coordinators about ways we may be able to bring our services closer to you and your family. 

Recognized for Excellence
Duke Children’s Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the U.S. verified as a Level I Children's Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons. This Level I designation recognizes our commitment to providing the safest and highest-quality surgical care to our young patients.

Advanced Care for Critical Needs
Our pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) and pediatric progressive care unit are equipped with advanced technology to meet your child’s needs. A dedicated team of specially trained critical care specialists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and others staffs these units around the clock.

Extensive Experience
Our team’s extensive experience allows us to treat the most complicated cases. We use a wide selection of medical and surgical treatments, as well as minimally invasive options that may reduce the risk of complications, speed recovery, and minimize blood loss. If your child isn’t a candidate for treatment at another hospital, he or she may be able to receive care at Duke University Hospital.

Access to Clinical Trials
Your child may also be able to participate in our clinical trials, which are studying new therapies for children with heart disease and related illnesses.