My youngest daughter was born with a complete atrioventricular septal defect. Following a successfully repair (heart walls & valves created), her remaining challenge involves the mitral valve. There are many very good replacement valves, however, none adapt to her growing heart. Thus, if she were to require a replacement valve – it would have to be replaced again and again through an open heart procedure until she reached adulthood.
While my daughter has a condition with a good surgical outcome with no immediate re-operation plans, many children do not. The long-term benefit of treating the needs of infants/children in so great, and the means of treatment are so few – as compared to the aging population. The imbalance is understandable, but very unforturnate. I hope to help create change given this reality!