What causes congenital heart disease in babies?

The occurrence of congenital heart disease in infants may be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors, physiological factors and other pathological factors. Infection, radiation, drug use and genetic gene mutation during pregnancy may be one of the main causes. The following is a step-by-step analysis of the possible causes.

1. Genetic factors

The occurrence of congenital heart disease is closely related to family inheritance. If one or both parents carry related gene mutations or chromosomal abnormalities, the baby's risk of congenital heart disease will increase. For example, Down syndrome and chromosome 21 abnormalities are associated with specific types of heart defects. If there is a family history, genetic testing is recommended before pregnancy to reduce the risk.

2. Impact of environmental factors

Maternal exposure to adverse environmental conditions during pregnancy, such as viral infections, drug abuse, and radiation, may lead to abnormal fetal heart development. Common viral infections such as rubella and toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the fetal heart in the early stages of pregnancy. In order to avoid these external influences, pregnant women are advised to plan well before pregnancy, avoid contact with unapproved drugs at will, and avoid high-risk environmental exposure.

3. Maternal physiological factors

The health of pregnant women is also an important factor affecting the development of the baby's heart. For example, mothers with diabetes and inadequate blood sugar control during pregnancy, or abnormal thyroid function, have a significantly increased risk of congenital heart disease in their fetuses. Therefore, paying attention to controlling blood sugar levels during pregnancy and having regular prenatal checkups can effectively reduce the probability of heart disease.

4 Trauma and other pathological factors

Trauma during pregnancy, placental abnormalities, or other diseases such as pregnancy-induced hypertension may hinder fetal development and affect the perfection of heart structure. Exposure to some chemicals, such as toxic gases or pesticides, may damage fetal cell development. To avoid such pathological risks, pregnant women need to follow doctor's advice, choose a healthy lifestyle, and avoid dangerous places.

The occurrence of congenital heart disease in infants is mostly the result of the combined effects of genetic, environmental, and maternal physiological and pathological factors. The key to prevention is to be well prepared before pregnancy and pay attention to physical and mental health during pregnancy. If there is infection, high-risk factors or abnormal conditions during pregnancy, you should immediately consult an obstetrician to reduce the impact of early inducing factors on the fetus and help the baby be born healthy.