Māori, Pacific babies more likely to die from rare heart defect - new researchDANIELA REY/UNSPLASH The study showed that babies of European ethnicity were more likely to have the rare heart condition. Māori and Pacific babies are more likely to die from a rare heart defect than European babies, according to a new study. The study showed that babies of European ethnicity were more likely to have the condition, congenital critical left heart obstruction (LHO), in which the left side of the heart does not form properly. The study revealed 58 per cent of European babies born with LHO survived to one year, compared to 44 per cent of Māori babies and 41 per cent of Pacific babies. Starship children's hospital had introduced a dedicated team in the past year to monitor and support caregivers of babies with LHO.

Source: Stuff March 25, 2018 20:15 UTC