Congenital heart disease

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Cardiac catheterization	Heart, front view	Heart, section through the middle	Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) - series
Ultrasound, normal fetus - heartbeat	Ultrasound, normal fetus - heartbeat

Avoid alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy. Physicians should be made aware that a woman is pregnant before prescribing for any medications for her. A blood test should be done early in the pregnancy to see if the woman is immune to rubell. If the mother is not immune, she must avoid any possible exposure to rubella and should be immunized immediately following delivery.

Poorly controlled sugar levels in type 1 diabetes are also associated with a high rate of congenital heart defects during pregnancy.

Experts believe that some prescription and over-the-counter medications and street drugs used during pregnancy increase the risk of heart defects.

There may be some hereditary factors that play a role in congenital heart disease. It is rare but not impossible for more than one child in a family to have a congenital heart defect. Talk to your health care provider about screening.

Expectant mothers should receive good prenatal care. Many congenital defects can be discovered on routine ultrasound examinations performed by an obstetrician. The delivery can then be anticipated and the appropriate medical personnel (such as a pediatric cardiologist, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and a neonatologist) can be present, and ready to help as necessary. Such preparation can mean the difference between life and death for some babies.

Review Date: 06/27/2006
Reviewed By: Anne J. L. Chun, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.