Prompt treatment of the underlying disease can lower the child's risk of developing congestive heart failure. Maintaining a healthy body weight, including physical activity in everyday life, and eating a diet designed to minimize heart disease can help minimize congestive heart failure.
If untreated, congestive heart failure in children can lead to early death. Long-term effects may include delays in the child's development and permanent damage to organs such as the brain, liver, and kidneys.
Congestive heart failure is not contagious and poses no risk to others.