Congenital heart disease is often caused by changes in a baby's genes.
Researchers frequently don't pinpoint the exact cause of congenital heart defects. However, they have discovered that in many instances, these defects are linked to genetic alterations in the baby. These changes can happen in a couple of different ways:
- Inherited Genes: The altered genes can be passed down from the parents to the child.
- New Changes During Pregnancy: Sometimes, genetic changes occur during pregnancy and are not inherited from the parents.
Here is a brief overview:
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Genetic Changes | Alterations in a baby's genes that can cause heart defects. |
| Inherited Genes | Changes passed down from the parents. |
| Changes During Pregnancy | New gene changes that happen during the pregnancy itself. |
In summary, the primary causes of congenital heart disease involve changes to a baby's genes, which can either be inherited or occur during pregnancy.
