Reducing Risks of Congenital Heart Defects in Infants

So little is known about congenital heart defects (CHDs) that it can leave a new mom feeling helpless. CHD is the most common birth defect in babies, affecting nearly 1% of all births in the United States (roughly 40,000 per year). As a result, it is not uncommon for new moms to be concerned about congenital heart defects, and many wonder how they can reduce their risk of CHD birth defects.

The medical community attributes roughly a quarter of CHD cases to genetic causes, one of the most common being Down’s syndrome. Still, that leaves many cases of congenital heart disease with no known cause. Scientists and doctors have come up with a list of preventative measures a new mom can take in order to reduce the risk of CHD in their newborns. Here are some of the biggest ways you can reduce your risk of having a baby with a congenital heart defect.