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Fetal Heart Development

What Conditions Can Affect an Unborn Baby's Heart?

By Teri Brown

Pages: 1 2 3 4

"The heart's development can be affected at any point in this process by things that affect how cells signal to each other, how they migrate during development and how they divide and grow," Dr. Pearson says.

Dr. Pearson says that although scientists are still learning about factors that control normal heart development and specific causes of congenital heart malformations, they have found that the following contribute to problems with heart development:

Chromosomal abnormalities: For example, Trisomy 21, the chromosomal abnormality associated with Down syndrome, is associated with cardiac abnormalities in 50 percent of babies.
Other genetic abnormalities: A single gene can develop abnormally and this can be associated with the development of a congenital heart defect.
Maternal diseases such as diabetes: Poor blood sugar control in a mother with diabetes is known to be associated with increased risk of heart defects in the baby.
Maternal infections like rubella (German measles): Fortunately, German measles is now very rare, but obstetricians always check to be sure a mother is protected against German measles at the beginning of a pregnancy.
Drugs or substances taken by the mother : Dilantin (used to treat seizures), cocaine, alcohol and Accutane (used to treat acne) can all affect fetal heart formation.
Exposure to certain substances in the environment: Paints, solvents, degreasers, pesticides; air pollutants such as trichloroethylene; and possibly radiation are all things to be avoided.

Pages: 1 2 3 4

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