What Are the Causes of Congenital Heart Disease?
Q:
What causes congenital heart disease?
A:
Doctors don’t always know the reason why a baby has congenital heart defect. Congenital heart disease occurs as a result of an early development problem in the heart’s structure. The suspected causes include the following:
- The heart defect may run in families
- Taking certain prescription drugs during pregnancy puts a child at a higher risk for a heart defect.
- Using alcohol or illegal drugs during pregnancy can increase a child’s risk of having a heart defect.
- Mothers who had a viral infection during the first trimester of pregnancy are more likely to give birth to a child with a heart defect.
- Increased blood sugar levels, such as occurs with diabetes, may affect childhood development.
Keywords: cause congenital heart disease, causes congenital heart disease
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* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.