Contents
Congenital heart defects are one of the most common congenital defects and are the most common cause of death of infants in Poland after perinatal diseases. Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities in the heart structure and disturbances in the position of the heart and the great vessels in the chest. On average, 1 in 100 babies are born worldwide with a congenital heart defect without significant geographical differences. Congenital heart defects are more frequently diagnosed on ultrasound during pregnancy, unfortunately most of these babies die before the pregnancy is delivered.
Diagnosis of some congenital heart defects, e.g. underdevelopment of the left heart or the common atrioventricular canal, is possible on the basis of Doppler and echocardiographic examinations already during pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy (8-10 weeks), the four-chamber image of the heart should be visualized. However, more details about the structure of the heart are obtained in the 20th to 24th weeks of pregnancy. If the doctor finds any abnormalities in the above tests, the woman is referred to a maternity center where the diagnosis of the defect will be verified and appropriate treatment will be administered.
Prenatal diagnosis
Symptoms right after birth
Cyanosis, shortness of breath, and heart murmurs
- chromosomal and gene abnormalities
- environmental impact
- infectious agents
- diabetes in the mother