Learn About Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

What is the definition of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a problem with the heart's structure and function that is present at birth.

What are the causes of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

CHD can describe a number of different problems affecting the heart. It is the most common type of birth defect. CHD causes more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defects.

CHD is often divided into two types: cyanotic (blue skin color caused by a lack of oxygen) and non-cyanotic. The following lists cover the most common CHDs:

Cyanotic:

  • Ebstein anomaly
  • Hypoplastic left heart
  • Pulmonary atresia
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
  • Transposition of the great vessels
  • Tricuspid atresia
  • Truncus arteriosus

Non-cyanotic:

  • Aortic stenosis
  • Bicuspid aortic valve
  • Atrial septal defect (ASD)
  • Atrioventricular canal (endocardial cushion defect)
  • Coarctation of the aorta
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
  • Pulmonic stenosis
  • Ventricular septal defect (VSD)

These problems may occur alone or together. Most children with CHD do not have other types of birth defects. However, heart defects may be part of genetic and chromosomal syndromes. Some of these syndromes may be passed down through families.

Examples include:

  • DiGeorge syndrome
  • Down syndrome
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Noonan syndrome
  • Edwards syndrome
  • Trisomy 13
  • Turner syndrome

Often, no cause for the heart disease can be found. CHDs continue to be investigated and researched. Drugs such as retinoic acid for acne, chemicals, alcohol, and infections (such as rubella) during pregnancy can contribute to some congenital heart problems.

Poorly controlled blood sugar in women who have diabetes during pregnancy has also been linked to an increased rate of congenital heart defects.

What are the symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

Symptoms depend on the condition. Although CHD is present at birth, the symptoms may not appear right away.

Defects such as coarctation of the aorta may not cause problems for years. Other problems, such as a small VSD, ASD, or PDA may never cause any problems.

Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

Which treatment is used, and how well the baby responds to it, depends on the condition. Many defects need to be followed carefully. Some will heal over time, while others will need to be treated.

Some CHDs can be treated with medicine alone. Others need to be treated with one or more heart procedures or surgeries.

Who are the top Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Local Doctors?
Pediatrics | Cardiology | Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatrics | Cardiology | Pediatric Cardiology

Pediatrix Medical Group Of Florida Inc

5325 Greenwood Ave, 
West Palm Beach, FL 
 12.3 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Todd Roth is a Pediatrics specialist and a Cardiologist in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Roth and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). His top areas of expertise are Double Outlet Right Ventricle, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Pacemaker Implantation. Dr. Roth is currently accepting new patients.

Pediatric Cardiology | Cardiology
Pediatric Cardiology | Cardiology

Pediatric Specialty Group, Inc.

3100 Sw 62nd Ave, 
Miami, FL 
 83.3 mi
Accepting New Patients

Ronald Kanter is a Pediatric Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Miami, Florida. Dr. Kanter and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). His top areas of expertise are Transposition of the Great Arteries, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Timothy Syndrome, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Kanter is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn More
Pediatric Cardiology | Cardiology
Pediatric Cardiology | Cardiology
3501 Johnson St, Total Heart Center, 
Hollywood, FL 
 63.5 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Larry Latson is a Pediatric Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Hollywood, Florida. Dr. Latson and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). His top areas of expertise are Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Coronary Artery Fistula, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Pulmonary Valve Stenosis, and Angioplasty. Dr. Latson is currently accepting new patients.

How do I prevent Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?

Women who plan to become pregnant should be immunized against rubella if they are not already immune. Rubella infection in a pregnant woman can cause CHD.

Women who are pregnant should get good prenatal care:

  • Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs during pregnancy.
  • Tell your health care provider that you are pregnant before taking any new medicines.
  • Have a blood test early in your pregnancy to see if you are immune to rubella. If you are not immune, avoid any possible exposure to rubella and get vaccinated right after delivery.
  • Pregnant women who have diabetes should try to get good control over their blood sugar level.

Certain genes may play a role in CHD. Many family members may be affected. Talk to your provider about genetic counseling and screening if you have a family history of CHD.

What are the latest Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Clinical Trials?
Automated Fetal Cardiac Function Parameters in Congenital Heart Disease

Summary: The goal of this international multicentre prospective observational cohort study with a nested case-control study is to test some automated fetal heart functional parameters in healthy babies compared to those affected by a congenital heart condition. The main questions it aims to answer are: * If there is a significant difference between the two populations of infants * Whether these parameters ...

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
Prognosis in Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease: an Observational Study

Summary: This is a mono-center observational ambispective study in which adult patients with congenital heart disease evaluated at our institution will be enrolled. The primary endopoint is to assess the clinical and echocardiographic predictors of adverse events during follow-up (death, arrhythmias, cardiac hospitalization). The secondary endpoints are: 1) evaluation of the incidence of the singular compo...

What are the Latest Advances for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)?
Heart Transplantation in a Patient with Complex Congenital Heart Disease, Physiologic Single Lung, and Severe Pulmonary Hypertension.
Tired of the same old research?
Check Latest Advances
Evidence base for specific pulmonary vasodilators in adults with congenital heart disease.
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: October 23, 2023
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Valente AM, Dorfman AL, Babu-Narayan SV, Kreiger EV. Congenital heart disease in the adolescent and adult. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 82.

Well A, Fraser CD. Congenital heart disease. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 59.