Congenital heart disease (or CHD) is a range of heart disorders, of varying degrees of severity, which are present at birth. CHD affects about eight in every one thousand live babies that are born and is caused by factors operating early in pregnancy. These factors include viral infections (e.g. Rubella), diabetes, maternal radiation and drugs (such as thalidomide, warfarin and phenytoin). CHD is also a feature of Downs syndrome (approximately 30% of sufferers have CHD) …
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…a serious mortality risk (70% of untreated CHD sufferers are likely to die by the age of five) and demand medical attention. Some of the defects I have mentioned can be controlled with medication, or in more serious scenarios may demand surgical correction. Precautions may now be taken during pregnancy to minimise risks, such as Rubella vaccination and avoidance of drugs and radiation. However, CHD is still a prevalent disorder that demands our attention and understanding.