How common is congenital heart disease in babies?

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United States, affecting nearly 1\% (about 40,000) of births per year. CHDs are present at birth and they affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. About 1 in 4 babies born with a heart defect has a critical CHD.

What percentage of the population has congenital heart disease?

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is 1 of the most frequently diagnosed congenital disorders afflicting approximately 0.8\% to 1.2\% of live births worldwide. Generally, CHD is defined as a structural abnormality of the heart and (or) great vessels that is present at birth.

What is the most common congenital heart problem affecting newborns?

Number of U.S. Babies Born with CHDs The most common type of heart defect is a ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Are babies with heart defects born early?

Congenital heart defects, also known as congenital cardiovascular malformations or CCVMs, are rare. Although they are not found only in premature babies, some heart defects may put a baby at risk for premature birth.

Is CHD hereditary?

Family history and CHDs. About 1\% of all children are born with a congenital heart defect. There is an overall 3 times increased risk for CHD when a first-degree relative has a CHD.

How do I know if my baby has a congenital heart defect?

Congenital heart disease can have a number of symptoms, particularly in babies and children, including:

1. rapid heartbeat.
2. rapid breathing.
3. swelling of the legs, tummy or around the eyes.
4. extreme tiredness and fatigue.
5. a blue tinge to the skin or lips (cyanosis)
6. tiredness and rapid breathing when a baby is feeding.

In which situation is there a risk that a newborn infant will have a congenital heart defect?

Some risk factors for congenital heart defects include: The risk is higher if a parent or sibling has a congenital heart problem. Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, may increase the risk. Certain infections during pregnancy, such as rubella, may increase your baby’s risk of having heart problems.

Does heart disease skip a generation?

Certain heart diseases can be passed down genetically. If you know about your risk ahead of time, you may be able to get ahead of the problem, before it causes symptoms or becomes dangerous. Here are 3 common heart diseases that can be inherited from one generation to the next.