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Cardiology in focus
Flying the nest: are we doing enough to achieve successful transition in young people with congenital heart disease?
  1. Jennifer Reekie
  1. Paediatrics, NHS Tayside, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Jennifer Reekie, Paediatrics, NHS Tayside, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK; Jennifer.reekie1{at}nhs.net

https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2019-315727

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    With continuing advances in the fields of medicine and surgery, >90% of infants born with congenital heart disease (CHD) can expect to reach adulthood.1 These individuals require lifelong cardiac surveillance to manage complications as they arise. Once CHD survivors reach adolescence, it is mandatory for patients and families to leave the familiarity of paediatrics in order to establish adult-orientated care.

    The transition process aims for young people to ultimately be partners in managing their conditions. The process is not seen as completed until reliable adult clinic attendance is established.2

    Adolescence is a vulnerable period of important development change. For all young people, the goal is achieving skills which equip them to live independently. It is a critical time for developing autonomy, self-advocacy and establishing habits which continue into adulthood. Children with …

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    Footnotes

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.