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Ranked nationally in pediatric care.
Arkansas Children's provides right-sized care for your child. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Arkansas Children's in seven specialties for 2024-2025.
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We're focused on improving child health through exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, continuing education, and outreach and prevention.
When it comes to your child, every emergency is a big deal.
Our ERs are staffed 24/7 with doctors, nurses and staff who know kids best – all trained to deliver right-sized care for your child in a safe environment.
Arkansas Children's provides right-sized care for your child. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Arkansas Children's in seven specialties for 2024-2025.
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We are dedicated to caring for children, allowing us to uniquely shape the landscape of pediatric care in Arkansas.
Transforming discovery to care.
Our researchers are driven by their limitless curiosity to discover new and better ways to make these children better today and healthier tomorrow.
We're focused on improving child health through exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, continuing education, and outreach and prevention.
Then we're looking for you! Work at a place where you can change lives...including your own.
When you give to Arkansas Children's, you help deliver on our promise of a better today and a healthier tomorrow for the children of Arkansas and beyond
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Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.
Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.
Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.
Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.
Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.
Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.
When you give to Arkansas Children’s, you help deliver on our promise of a better today and a healthier tomorrow for the children of Arkansas and beyond.
Your volunteer efforts are very important to Arkansas Children's. Consider additional ways to help our patients and families.
Join one of our volunteer groups.
There are many ways to get involved to champion children statewide.
Make a positive impact on children through philanthropy.
The generosity of our supporters allows Arkansas Children's to deliver on our promise of making children better today and a healthier tomorrow.
Read and watch heart-warming, inspirational stories from the patients of Arkansas Children’s.
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Arkansas Children's Hospital
General Information 501-364-1100
Arkansas Children's Northwest
General Information 479-725-6800
Truncus arteriosus is a rare heart condition that a baby is born with (called a congenital heart defect). A baby born with truncus arteriosus has only one blood vessel coming out of the heart instead of the normal two — one to carry blood to the lungs (pulmonary artery) and one to carry blood out to the body (aorta). Instead, this one large blood vessel (trunk) leads to smaller vessels that bring blood to the body and lungs. Most babies with truncus arteriosus also have a hole (called a ventricular septal defect) between the heart's two bottom chambers (ventricles).
This problem with the heart's structure means the heart must work hard to pump blood to the lungs and body, which can damage the heart and lungs and lead to breathing problems and heart failure.
Symptoms of truncus arteriosus usually occur in the first few days or weeks after birth. They may be more noticeable when your baby is trying to feed. Some common symptoms include:
Experts do know what causes truncus arteriosus. In a small number of children, heart defects are sometimes caused by genetics.
Babies with truncus arteriosus need surgery soon after birth, usually before the time they are 2 months old. Surgery usually involves the following steps:
Your baby may also need other repairs, depending on their heart defects.
As your child grows, they will have follow-up visits with a cardiologist (a heart doctor) and may need additional surgeries. Your care team at Arkansas Children's is experienced in treating truncus arteriosus and will work with you to develop the best long-term treatment plan for your child.