Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent incident involving a child who died after heart surgery at Ningbo Women's and Children's Hospital, highlighting discrepancies in the reported size of the heart defect and the implications for medical intervention [3][4]. Group 1: Incident Overview - The autopsy report indicated that the size of the atrial septal defect (ASD) was 1.0cm x 0.9cm, contrary to the family's claim of 0.3cm, suggesting significant implications for the child's growth and development [3]. - Following the child's death, multiple hospital officials, including the chief surgeon, faced disciplinary actions, although the technical assessment of the medical incident has not yet been released [3][4]. Group 2: Medical Context - Atrial septal defects are common in premature infants, with larger defects typically requiring intervention. The standard for surgical intervention in children is flexible, often depending on the size of the defect and the child's age [4]. - Experts indicate that small atrial septal defects may self-resolve, and diagnosis before six months may not be reliable. Surgical intervention is generally recommended before school age to prevent long-term developmental impacts [4]. Group 3: Treatment Options - Treatment for atrial septal defects can be performed via minimally invasive techniques or open-heart surgery, with the choice depending on the defect's characteristics and the patient's condition [5]. - The materials used for surgical repair include autologous pericardium or specially processed bovine pericardium, while interventional procedures utilize occluders made from nickel-titanium alloy [5]. Group 4: Epidemiological Data - Recent epidemiological studies indicate that the incidence of congenital heart disease in China ranges from 8 to 10 per 1,000 live births, with atrial septal defects accounting for approximately 10% to 15% of these cases [6]. - Based on these statistics, the birth prevalence of atrial septal defects is estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.5 per 1,000 live births [6].