What causes heart problems in newborn babies?
A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a heart problem that a baby has at birth. It is caused by abnormal formation of the heart during growth in the womb. In most cases, when a baby is born with a congenital heart defect, there is no known reason for it.
What is the most serious congenital heart defect?
Critical congenital heart defects (also called critical CHDs or critical congenital heart disease) are the most serious congenital heart defects. Babies with critical CHDs need surgery or other treatment within the first year of life. Without treatment, critical CHDs can cause serious health problems and death.
Are babies with heart defects born early?
Congenital heart defects, also known as congenital cardiovascular malformations or CCVMs, are rare. Although they are not found only in premature babies, some heart defects may put a baby at risk for premature birth.
What happens if a baby is born with a hole in its heart?
These usually close during pregnancy or shortly after birth. If one of these openings does not close, a hole is left, and it is called an atrial septal defect. The hole increases the amount of blood that flows through the lungs and over time, it may cause damage to the blood vessels in the lungs.
Is it common for babies to be born with a hole in the heart?
Septal defects are sometimes called a ‘hole’ in the heart. It is the most common heart problem that babies are born with. Many defects in the ventricular septum close themselves and cause no problems. Otherwise, medicines or surgery can help.
How many babies are born with heart defects?
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect. They affect 8 of every 1,000 newborns. Each year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects. Many of these defects are simple conditions that are easily fixed or need no treatment.
Does any have a baby with a heart defect?
Congenital heart defects (also called CHDs) are heart conditions that a baby is born with.
What causes heart defects in babies?
Some babies have heart defects because of changes in their genes or chromosomes. Heart defects also are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as the things the mother comes in contact with in the environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medicines she uses.
What are the most common heart birth defects?
Atrial septal defect (ASD). This congenital defect (birth defect) is fairly common.