Causes of Congenital Heart Defects

Despite much research, in the majority of cases, Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) occur without any known cause. This is one reason the incidence has remained fairly constant at 7 to 8 cases per 1000 live births over decades, while other forms of heart disease have been declining in frequency.

However, there have been some causes identified for CHD.

Environmental Insults

During pregnancy, some events are known to be associated with an increased risk for CHD.

• Rubella infection: This viral infection, also called German Measles, can cause a syndrome of deafness, heart defects, cataracts and microcephaly. The heart defects most often seen are PDA, PS and ASD.
• Thalidomide ingestion: Introduced as a drug for morning sickness, this medicine unleashed a horror when fetuses with gross malformations were delivered months later. The drug can cause major limb defects and a spectrum of heart birth defects too.
• Lithium therapy: Used in the treatment of mania and a few other behavioral disturbances, lithium can cause fetal tricuspid valve anomalies if taken during pregnancy.
• Fetal alcohol syndrome: A well-documented syndrome noticed in fetuses of women who abuse alcohol during pregnancy includes microcephaly, microphthalmia, growth retardation, developmental delay and heart defects. VSD is the most often seen.
• Maternal Lupus Erythematosus: SLE in the mother has been associated with heart blocks in the fetus.
• Others: In animal experiments, a variety of other factors have been incriminated in causing CHD. They include:

1. hypoxia
2. deficiency or excess of several vitamins
3. drugs of various categories
4. ionizing radiation

Next: Genetic Causes for CHD. Read on...

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FAVORITES FOREVER Take some time to browse through this site. Check out some more articles covering different areas of heart disease: Through the Keyhole : Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Bypass Surgery sans Bypass : the MICAS website Catching 'em Young : Fetal Cardiac Surgery The Gender Gap : Heart Disease in Women Heart Birth Defects : Congenital Heart Disease Caring after Curing : Post-Op Care for Heart Surgery Between Mother and Child : Pregnancy and Heart Disease

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