children s health issues
Overview of Heart Defects
Causes of Heart Defects
Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of birth defects of the heart. include certain disorders the mother has or develops during pregnancy and some medications she has taken. Disorders that may increase the risk of an infant having a birth defect of the heart include Diabetes Mellitus (DM) , that are strongly associated with birth defects of the heart include certain chromosome abnormalities, particularly Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) , When a family has had one child with a heart defect, the risk of a heart birth defect occurring in a subsequent pregnancy depends on the type of heart defect and whether there is a specific chromosome abnormality. Adults who were born with a heart defect should get tested for chromosome abnormalities and Genetic Screening Before Pregnancy to help them determine their risk of having a child with a heart defect. 