2. . Congenital heart disease is a general term for
range of birth defects that affects normal way
heartworks.
Term "congenital" means - condition present by birth.
. The heart is divided into 4 chambers. These are: Left
atrium, Left ventricle, Right atrium and Right
ventricle.
. There are also 4 valves controlling how the blood
flows through the heart and around body. These are:
Mitral valve, Aortic valve, Tricuspid valve and
Pulmonary valve.
. Congenital heart disease can occur if any of these
chambers or valves doesn't develop properly while a
baby is in the womb.
Introduction
3. Signs and
Symptoms
. Congenital heart disease is often
detected during a pregnancy
ultrasound. If abnormal heartbeat is
noticed then tests like echocardiogram,
chest X-ray or MRI scan can be used to
investigate the issue.
4. . In some cases, symptoms of aCHD may not
appear until shortly after birth. Newborns with
heart defects may experience:
. Bluish lips, skin, fingers, and toes (cyanosis)
. Breathlessness or trouble breathing
. Feeding difficulties
. Low birth weight
. Chest pain
. Delayed growth
Signs and
Symptoms
5. . In other cases, the symptoms of aCHD may not
appear until many years afterbirth. Once
symptoms do develop, they may include:
. Abnormal heart rhythms
. Dizziness
.Trouble breathing
. Fainting
. Swelling
. Fatigue
Signs and
Symptoms
7. . Ventricular Septal Defect
. Artial Septal Defect
Acyanotic
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis – where pulmonary valve,
which controls the flow of blood out of right ventricle
of heart to lungs, is narrower than normal.
. Septal defects – hole between two of heart's chambers
(commonly called a “hole in the heart”)
8. Acynotic
. Patent Ductus Arteriosus -
Persistent opening between two
major bloodvessels leading from
heart.
. Poorly oxygenated blood to
flows in wrong direction,
weakening heart muscle and
causing heart failure and other
complications.
• Coarctation of the
Aorta - where main large
artery of the body, Aorta,
is narrower than normal.
9. . Tetralogy of Fallot - Combination of 4 defects:
VSD, Pulmonary Valve Stenosis, Ventricular
Hypertrophy and Enlarged Aortic Valve.
. Transposition of Great Arteries- where the
pulmonary and aortic valves and the pulmonary
artery and Aorta, they’reconnected to, have
swapped positions.
.Truncus arteriosus- a single bloodvessel
(truncus arteriosus) comes out of the right and
left ventricles, instead of the normal 2 vessels
(pulmonary artery and aorta).
Cyanotic
10. Cyanotic
Hypoplastic left heart
syndrome (HLHS)- a birth
defect that affects normal
blood flow through the heart.
As the baby develops during
pregnancy, the left side of
the heart does not form
correctly.
11. Causes
. Genetic conditions- inherited from one or
both parents or runs in families. Such as:-
1) Down's syndrome
2) Turner syndrome
3) Noonan syndrome
12. . Maternal diabetes
Women with diabetes have higher risk of giving
birth to a baby with CHD. This only applies
to type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
The increased risk caused by high levels of
hormone insulin in the blood, which may
interfere with normal development of a foetus
(early developmental stages).
• Alcohol
Development of foetal alcohol syndrome and
leading to congenital heart disease.
Causes
13. . Rubella (German Measles)
Infectious condition caused by a virus. It can severely
affect unborn baby if a mother develops rubella
infection during the first 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy,
further causing multiple birth defects, including CHD.
. Flu (Influenza)
Women who get flu during first trimester (3 months) of
pregnancy are at risk of having a baby with CHD.
. Organic solvents
Women exposed to some organic solvents maybe more
likely to give birth to a baby with CHD. Organic solvents
are chemicals found in a wide range of products and
substances, such as paint, nail polish and glue.
Causes
14. . Medications- Several medications may
increase risk of CHD. These include:
1) Certain anti-seizure medications – such as
benzodiazepines (for example diazepam)
2) Certain acne medications – such as
isotretinoin and topical retinoids.
3) Ibuprofen- It’s intake may cause CHD.
Paracetamol is safer alternative to ibuprofen
during pregnancy.
Causes
15. As so little is known about the causes of congenital
heart disease, there's no guaranteed way of avoiding
having a baby with the condition.
. However, the following advice can be giving to
pregnant women to help reduce the risk:
1) Ensure to be vaccinated against rubella & flu
(influenza)
2) Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medication and
have herbal medicines.
3) Take 400 mg of folic acid supplement a day during
first trimester (first 12 weeks) of pregnancy - this
lowers your risk of giving birth to a child with CHD, as
well as several other types of birth defect.
Prevention
16. 4) Avoid contact with people who are known to have
an infection.
5) If you have diabetes, make sure it's controlled.
6) Avoid exposure to organic solvents, such as those
used in dry cleaning, paint thinners and nail polish
remover.
7) If you have a family history of congenital heart
defects, ask your doctor about genetic screening.
Certain genes may contribute to abnormal heart
development.
Prevention
