'Zipper kid' on path to normal life

18:00 AEDT Tue Aug 31 2010

By ninemsn staff

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They’re known affectionately as the "zipper kids" — children who required heart surgery at a young age and were left with a scar across their chest.

Tonight Nine News’s Peter Overton presented a special on children struggling to cope with heart defects.

Holly, a seven-year-old from Sydney, is one of many children who has suffered heart problems from a young age.

“I get really tired because I don’t have much energy,” Holly said.

Holly is a zipper kid — she was first operated on when she was a newborn, and then again at 21 months.

She’s now preparing for her final operation which doctors believe will allow her to lead a normal life.

According to HeartKids.org.au, heart defects are the biggest killer of children under five in Australia.

To learn more about heart defects in children and find out ways to help visit the websites below.

HeartKids.org.au

Heart Centre for Children

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