About Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease is present at birth. The fetus' heart is developed in the second month of pregnancy. One in 120 babies are born with at least one form of heart disease. Congenital heart disease is the most common major birth defect.

Causes

• Most causes of congenital heart disease are a mystery. Heredity or family history seems to play a part in the development of it in a fetus. A baby born with other birth defects like Down's syndrome is more likely to have congenital heart disease. Viral infections, such as German measles contracted during pregnancy, have been linked with congenital heart disease. Some over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs like accutane and lithium can cause heart development problems.

Problems With the Development of the Heart

• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is where the left side of the heart, including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve do not develop. Another condition is single ventricle, which means that the baby is born with just one side of the heart.

Problems With the Blood Vessels

• Transposition of the great vessels cause oxygen depleted blood to be pumped throughout the body. Tetralogy of fallot is a combination of four defects in the blood vessels that run through the heart. Truncus arteriosus is the developing of one large aorta instead of separate vessels. Coarctation of the aorta is where the aorta is narrowed and slows down the blood flow. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is where oxygen-rich blood is carried to the right side of the heart instead of the left.

Problems With the Heart Valves

• Aortic valve stenosis is where the aortic valve opening is too narrow to allow blood flow. Pulmonary valve artesia does not allow blood to pass into the lungs to be oxygenated. Pulmonary valve stenosis causes the heart to pump harder to circulate blood. Tricuspid atresia blocks the blood flow with tissue. Ebstein's anomaly allows blood to leak back into the heart instead of sending it out to the lungs. Subaortic stenosis slows the pumping of the blood down.

Abnormal Passages in the Heart of Blood Vessels

• Atrial septal defect is a hole in the upper chambers of the heart. Ventricular septal defect is a hole in the lower chambers. Atrioventricular canal defect is a large hole in the center of the heart. These holes allow for abnormal blood flow through the heart. Patent ductus arteriosus is the failure of the open passage between artery and aorta to close after birth. Eisenmenger's complex is a combination of defects.

Prevention

• Congenital heart disease cannot be prevented. A pregnant woman can reduce heart disease risk to her developing fetus by not drinking alcohol, smoking or taking illegal drugs. She should also avoid exposure to X-rays and talk to her doctor before taking any medications. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels in diabetics have been linked to congenital heart disease development in fetuses.