Causes of congenital heart disease in children

The causes of congenital heart disease in children mainly include genetic factors, maternal environmental influences, physiological abnormalities, infection or drug exposure in early pregnancy, etc. Clarifying the causes will help better prevention and intervention.

Genetic factors play an important role in congenital heart disease in children. Some cases are highly associated with gene mutations and chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome). If there are patients with congenital heart disease among the parents or immediate family members, the baby will be at an increased risk of developing such diseases. Environmental factors are also an important predisposing factor. Exposure of the mother to adverse environments such as tobacco, alcohol or radiation during pregnancy may affect the development of the fetal heart. Infections in early pregnancy (such as rubella virus infection) and the intake of certain teratogenic drugs during pregnancy (such as anti-epileptic drugs, retinoic acid drugs) can increase the risk of heart development defects. Inadequate nutritional intake, especially folic acid deficiency, may also be one of the potential causes. Abnormal physiological development of the fetus itself, such as incomplete development of the heart structure during the embryonic period, may lead to structural defects such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus.

Genetic factors play an important role in congenital heart disease in children. Some cases are highly associated with gene mutations and chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome). If there are patients with congenital heart disease among the parents or immediate family members, the baby will be at an increased risk of developing such diseases. Environmental factors are also an important predisposing factor. Exposure of the mother to adverse environments such as tobacco, alcohol or radiation during pregnancy may affect the development of the fetal heart. Infections in early pregnancy (such as rubella virus infection) and the intake of certain teratogenic drugs during pregnancy (such as anti-epileptic drugs, retinoic acid drugs) can increase the risk of heart development defects. Inadequate nutritional intake, especially folic acid deficiency, may also be one of the potential causes. Abnormal physiological development of the fetus itself, such as incomplete development of the heart structure during the embryonic period, may lead to structural defects such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus.

For couples with a family history of genetic diseases, they should consult a genetics expert before pregnancy and undergo necessary genetic testing to increase the chances of eugenics. Pregnant women need to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, avoid contact with tobacco and alcohol, receive vaccinations (such as rubella vaccine) in a planned manner, and supplement folic acid and other trace elements under the guidance of a doctor, and avoid drug abuse. Fetal ultrasound examinations should be performed regularly during pregnancy to screen for possible heart abnormalities early. If congenital heart disease has been confirmed in a child, active treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor, such as targeted medications (such as diuretics, cardiotonic agents), cardiac interventional treatment or surgical repair of defects. The specific plan depends on the individual's condition. It is recommended to evaluate the condition and intervene as soon as possible.