THE largest study of its kind into a life-threatening heart condition which affects 200 newborn babies in the UK every year is being carried out at the University of Southampton.

A team of researchers from the university has received funding from the British Heart Foundation to conduct genetic research into hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLH).

In babies born with the condition the left side of their hearts do not develop properly and there are also major problems with their heart valves.

Survival without treatment is almost unknown and the outcome for many children is still uncertain even with surgery.

The underlying cause of this congenital heart defect is not fully understood although the Southampton team, led by Professor David Wilson, believes a missing gene may be an important factor.

During the 18-month project researchers will meet children with HLH and their families at hospital centres in Southampton and Birmingham.

The team will use DNA analysis techniques and will take detailed family histories in an attempt to discover which genes are responsible for the severe heart malformation.

Prof Wilson said: "Hypoplastic left-heart syndrome may have a genetic cause in some children. The parents of affected children are at higher risk of having another child with the same condition, but because we don't understand the causes we are unable to tell each family what their own risk is.

"We hope our research will be of great benefit to parents in terms of explaining why their child developed HLH, the risk of it happening again and in identifying the genes responsible."