What causes congenital heart disease in children?

The causes of congenital heart disease in children include genetic factors, environmental influences, abnormal physiological structure and infection during pregnancy. Understanding the specific causes can help prevent or reduce risks. It is recommended to do a good job of health management during pregnancy and have regular prenatal checkups.

1. Genetic factors:

If parents have abnormal heart structure or a family history of heart disease, the chance of inheritance will increase significantly. Congenital heart disease is also related to certain gene mutations. For example, gene defects associated with genetic diseases such as Down syndrome and Marfan syndrome may cause such diseases. If there are similar cases in the family, it is recommended that couples undergo genetic screening before preparing for pregnancy to assess fertility risks.

2 Environmental factors:

The external environment has a great impact on the development of the fetal heart, especially exposure to certain teratogens during pregnancy. For example, long-term exposure of pregnant women to chemicals such as formaldehyde or toxic gases, or exposure to high-intensity radiation such as high-dose X-rays may cause fetal heart malformations. Smoking, drinking or drug abuse during pregnancy can also increase the risk of disease. It is recommended that pregnant women create a good living environment, avoid exposure to harmful substances, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

3 Abnormal physiological structure:

If there are some developmental disorders in the early stage of fetal heart development, such as incomplete formation of ventricle and atrial septum, or abnormal structures such as vascular misalignment, it may lead to congenital heart disease. Such situations are usually not completely avoided, but early comprehensive prenatal examinations and fetal heart ultrasound examinations can help to detect problems in time and facilitate early intervention.

4Infection during pregnancy:

Viral infections in early pregnancy, such as rubella and cytomegalovirus, may interfere with the development of the fetal heart. These viruses can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta and affect organ formation. To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that women get the necessary vaccines when preparing for pregnancy and pay attention to hygiene and protection during pregnancy.

5Other pathological factors:

Maternal diabetes, thyroid disease, or taking certain medications during pregnancy, such as anti-epileptic drugs, may increase the probability of fetal heart abnormalities. Pregnant women should control their conditions before pregnancy and consult their doctors whether medication needs to be adjusted.

It is crucial to detect congenital heart disease in time and take treatment measures. Parents should pay attention to heart health problems after their children are born. If they find abnormal conditions such as purple lips and nails, difficulty in breastfeeding, and shortness of breath, they should seek medical diagnosis as soon as possible. In the future, scientific pregnancy management and regular check-ups are important means to reduce the occurrence of congenital heart disease, and also help children get a healthy start in life.