Congenital Heart Disease is the major cause of death in the first year of life. Although there are more than 35 well recognised cardiac defects, the most common is ventricular septal defect. The article depicts a case study of a 3 ½ month old male child presenting with the signs and symptoms of ventricular septal defect. The importance of History taking, physical assessment, rapid response to findings with time-constrained empirical interventions, the consideration of access to health care, and a holistic approach to treatment of the patient and the family are highlighted.

Keywords: Ventricular septal defect; Failure to thrive