Congenital Heart Defects
Updated June 10, 2015.
When we think of having a baby it's always the perfect baby. However, every year babies are born with defects. 8 out of every 1,000 babies is born with a congenital heart defect, making it one of the most common types of birth defects, according to the American Heart Association.
There are many types of defects and they each cause a different problem with a structure or function of the heart. With advances in care, screening and detection over the past years we have improved the techniques used to care for babies born with these anomalies.
There are now screening available for families who have a history or are at higher risk for complications from a congenital heart defect (like a previous baby with a defect). Usually a simple ultrasound can be done as a general screening for women and their babies. If this indicates further testing fetal echocardiograms are also now available.
The Fetal Echo is a noninvasive procedure, much like a regular ultrasound. It can be done in 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the positioning of the baby. It is done with sound waves.
This test may be ordered if you have a family history, a baby who has an abnormal heart rate during pregnancy, or any other marker for potential complications. Most larger medical centers have this type of ultrasound available.
Once your baby is diagnosed, what happens at that point really depends on the type of defect.
Some, like the innocent murmurs, are merely watched while other require changes in the mode of birth (cesarean versus vaginal versus induction) and potentially surgical intervention for the baby.
Having the information you can prenatally and being connected with other families who have gone through this will be very helpful.
After birth a simple screening with pulse oximetry may increase the likelihood of an early diagnosis. Be sure to talk to your practitioner about this screening for your baby.
More on the most common birth defects.
2/5/10
When we think of having a baby it's always the perfect baby. However, every year babies are born with defects. 8 out of every 1,000 babies is born with a congenital heart defect, making it one of the most common types of birth defects, according to the American Heart Association.
There are many types of defects and they each cause a different problem with a structure or function of the heart. With advances in care, screening and detection over the past years we have improved the techniques used to care for babies born with these anomalies.
Most Common Types of Heart Defects:
- Heart valve abnormalities
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Septal defects
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Tetralogy of Fallot
There are now screening available for families who have a history or are at higher risk for complications from a congenital heart defect (like a previous baby with a defect). Usually a simple ultrasound can be done as a general screening for women and their babies. If this indicates further testing fetal echocardiograms are also now available.
Fetal Echocardiograms & Pulse Oximetry
The Fetal Echo is a noninvasive procedure, much like a regular ultrasound. It can be done in 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the positioning of the baby. It is done with sound waves.
This test may be ordered if you have a family history, a baby who has an abnormal heart rate during pregnancy, or any other marker for potential complications. Most larger medical centers have this type of ultrasound available.
Once your baby is diagnosed, what happens at that point really depends on the type of defect.
Some, like the innocent murmurs, are merely watched while other require changes in the mode of birth (cesarean versus vaginal versus induction) and potentially surgical intervention for the baby.
Having the information you can prenatally and being connected with other families who have gone through this will be very helpful.
After birth a simple screening with pulse oximetry may increase the likelihood of an early diagnosis. Be sure to talk to your practitioner about this screening for your baby.
More on the most common birth defects.
2/5/10
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