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Congenital Heart Disease
DefinitionCongenital heart diseases are abnormalities of the heart's structure and function caused by abnormal or disordered heart development before birth.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a broad term that can describe a number of different abnormalities affecting the heart. Congenital heart disease is, by definition, present at birth although its effects may not be obvious immediately. In some cases, such as coarctation of the aorta, it may not present itself for many years and a few lesions such as a small ventricular septal defect (VSD) may never cause any problems and are compatible with normal physical activity and a normal life span.
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 35,000 babies are born each year with some type of congenital heart defect. Congenital heart disease is responsible for more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defects. Many of these defects need to be followed carefully; though some heal over time, others will require treatment
Some congenital heart diseases can be treated with medication alone, while others require one or multiple surgical interventions. There has been significant improvement in the risk of death from congenital heart disease surgery, from approximately 30% in the 1960s and 1970s to approximately 5% today.
Congenital heart disease is often divided into two types: those with cyanosis (blue discoloration caused by a relative lack of oxygen) and those without cyanosis. The following lists cover the most common of the congenital heart diseases:
Cyanotic:
Non-cyanotic:
These abnormalities may occur as single defects or in various combinations. VSD is the most commonly diagnosed congenital heart defect (about one-third of all cases) and it is seen almost three times as often as ASD and PDA, which are the next most common.
The majority of congenital heart diseases occur as an isolated defect and are not associated with other diseases. However, they can also be a part of various genetic and chromosomal syndromes, such as Down syndrome, trisomy 13, Turner's syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.
Drugs, chemicals, and infections during pregnancy can also cause congenital heart abnormalities. Fetal rubella, maternal alcohol use (fetal alcohol syndrome), and use of retinoic acid (for acne) are some causes of congenital heart disease in an infant.
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Congenital Heart Disease Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Congenital Heart Disease Symptoms & Signs
• Congenital Heart Disease Prevention
• Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosis & Tests
• Congenital Heart Disease Treatment
• Congenital Heart Disease Prognosis
• Congenital Heart Disease Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acne
• Aortic Stenosis
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Down Syndrome
• Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• Hypoplastic Left Heart
• Marfan Syndrome
• Noonan Syndrome
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
• Rubella
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
• Transposition of the Great Vessels
• Tricuspid Atresia
• Trisomy 13
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Turner Syndrome
• Ventricular Septal Defect
Tests & Exams
• Pregnancy Ultrasound
Other Topics
• Alcohol Use
• Skin Discoloration - Bluish
Review Date : 5/7/2002
Reviewed By : Satish K. Rajagopal, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, The Children's Hospital of New York, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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