A congenital defect is an abnormality in the structure of the heart and the blood vessels of a new born. Such abnormalities obstruct the blood flow in the heart vessels or cause the blood to flow in an abnormal pattern. They could be varying defects like a hole in the chamber of the heart or an abnormal heart valve or a missing heart valve or a heart chamber.
Some defects are discovered in an unborn baby (called a fetus) while a woman is pregnant. Others are not found until birth. Still others may not be discovered until your child gets older or even until he or she becomes an adult.
Causes
- Heredity – genes passed from the parent to the child
- German measles-it is viral infection which when encountered in a pregnant woman can result in congenital heart defects
- Pregnant women who drink excessive alcohol are more likely to develop congenital heart defects
- Diabetes in pregnant women
- Children with Down’s syndrome are more likely to develop congenital hert abnormality
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