What are the causes of congenital heart disease in children?

Congenital heart disease in children is closely related to genetic, environmental factors and the mother's health during pregnancy. Understanding these causes can help with early prevention and detection. If any abnormality is found, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.

Congenital heart disease refers to structural diseases caused by abnormal development of the heart and great blood vessels during the embryonic period. These problems occur mainly in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, which is the critical stage of heart formation. The exact cause of most congenital heart diseases is difficult to determine, but it is generally believed to be the result of multiple factors.

Among them, heredity is a factor that cannot be ignored. If there are relatives with congenital heart disease in the family, the child's risk of disease may increase; at the same time, certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, are also related to congenital heart disease. In terms of environmental factors, if pregnant women are exposed to harmful substances during pregnancy, such as certain drugs, radiation, chemicals, or infected with viruses (such as rubella), they may interfere with embryonic development. Maternal health status is also important. For example, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, smoking, etc. will increase the possibility of problems with fetal heart development.

It is very important to have regular prenatal checkups during pregnancy. For example, ultrasound screening can detect whether the fetus has abnormal heart structure early. If you are preparing for pregnancy, it is recommended to adjust your lifestyle, quit smoking and drinking, eat a proper diet, supplement folic acid, and reduce exposure to environmental pollution. If you have a family history or special health conditions, it is best to consult a genetic doctor before preparing for pregnancy. Infections should be avoided as much as possible in the early stages of pregnancy, especially rubella virus, and vaccination can be considered to reduce the risk.