Can congenital heart disease be treated?

Fetal congenital heart disease is treatable in many cases, and treatment methods include prenatal monitoring, postnatal surgery, and drug intervention. The specific treatment depends on the severity and type of the disease. Through timely diagnosis and scientific intervention, many children can achieve significantly improved or even normal quality of life.

1 Cause

Fetal congenital heart disease is mainly caused by multiple factors such as genetics, environment and maternal health.

Genetic factors: If parents or immediate family members have a history of congenital heart disease, the chance of inheritance will increase, and it may also be related to certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.

Environmental factors: Viral infections such as rubella virus, exposure to harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco or radiation during pregnancy may interfere with the normal development of the fetal heart.

Maternal factors: The mother has diabetes, lupus, or takes medications during pregnancy that affect fetal development.

2How to diagnose

Prenatal echocardiography is currently an important tool for detecting fetal congenital heart disease, which can detect structural problems in the second trimester of pregnancy (20-24 weeks). When family genetic factors are suspected, fetal chromosome karyotype analysis can be further performed.

3 Treatment methods

The chances of cure depend on the type and severity of the condition, which can be roughly divided into the following categories:

Prenatal monitoring and drug intervention: For certain arrhythmias during pregnancy, drugs such as digoxin and amiodarone are used to regulate the function of the fetal heart, reduce risks, and prepare for delivery.

Surgical treatment after birth: More complex heart malformations such as tetralogy of Fallot and ventricular septal defect usually require surgery, such as open-chest heart repair or minimally invasive cardiac catheterization under certain conditions. These surgeries are usually performed in the neonatal period or within six months of age.

Interventional treatment: Some mild to moderate types, such as patent ductus arteriosus, can be repaired without thoracotomy by implanting an occluder through a catheter.

4 Life care and long-term follow-up

After birth, the baby needs to pay attention to changes in heart function and have regular cardiac ultrasound examinations. Be careful to avoid infective endocarditis. Some severe patients may need to take anticoagulants or regularly replace surgical repair materials.

The treatment plan for fetal congenital heart disease needs to be formulated according to the specific situation. It is recommended to conduct a comprehensive assessment and intervention under the guidance of a specialist. Through scientific diagnosis and systematic treatment, many children can enjoy a healthy growth environment in the future. Pregnant women need to take good care of themselves during pregnancy, avoid risk factors, and lay a solid foundation for the healthy development of the fetus.