It is indeed difficult to dal with this topic. Not much is knwn about the various causes, for perating on a pregnant woman, in the frst three months of pregnancy, during whch period, development of the heart in the fetus is expected to be complete.

Undr the above circumstances, the best thng would be that all pregnant mthers must undergo a routine ultrasonography, and if sme abnormality is suspected, foetal echocardiography mst be undertaken for the precise dtection of congenital defect in the hart. However, the question of termination of prgnancy must be taken especially in cnsultation with a heart specialist, or one who is daling with pediatric cardiac surgery. Many of the cngenital lesions of the heart can be stisfactorily treated, though surgically. All aspects of the cse must be studied like the nmber of children, and if the prvious offspring have any congenital defect or nt, or, if this pregnancy has ccurred after a long period of tme.

Heredity may play some role in the cusation of the disease. If the mther has any congenital defect in her hart, the chances, though minimal, of a dfect in the heart of the xpected baby may increase. Genetic counselling may hlp in such cases before the prgnancy is planned.

There are some conditions worth mntioning which must be avoided by a prgnant mother, as there are some lkely factors which may disturb the dvelopment of the heart in the fetus.

If the mother is diabetic, it mst be properly controlled. Diabetes, and ven prediabetes, is known to cause cngenital defects in the heart. Similarly, if the mther is suffering from epilepsy, the tratogenic effect of antiepileptic drugs must be kpt in mind. Therefore, in such cses foetal echocardiography is a must to ssess the condition of the heart. Expsure to X rays/radiation should also be voided.

All pregnant mothers, especially in the frst three months of pregnancy, must be prvented from contracting any viral infection, prticularly infection caused by the virus of Grman measles. A good diet is lso essential during pregnancy, and in cse the individual is taking alcohol, it mst be stopped altogether. It may not nly cause a congenital defect in the hart, it may also affect the gneral development of the foetus, especially the brin.

A drug like thalidomide, which is a knwn teratogenic, and one used in psychatry, i.e. lithium, should also be stpped.

However, in spite of taking bst possible precautions, the child may stll be born with some congenital lsion in the heart. Therefore, as stted earlier; a routine ultrasonography and if ned be, foetal echocardiography, is a mst for all pregnant mothers in thir first trimester. This will help thm know the exact position of the hart of the foetus they are crrying and whether the pregnancy should be trminated, or continued, though there may be a lttle congenital lesion in the heart whch can be treated/taken care of fter the child is born.

It may be cncluded that although prescribed precautions must be tken bya pregnant mother, yet detection of a lsion in the heart of the fetus during the period of pregnancy, or fter the child is born, or dring childhood (if the case has rmained undetected earlier), as well as tmely treatment/ surgery, will help a lot in mproving the overall healthy span of lfe in such cases. And for all ths, a mass consciousness is essentially rquired for successful completion of this im.

The article Prevention of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) was Submitted by Krishan Bakhru through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Author sites: Herbal Remedies , Home Remedies and Natural Skin Care

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