What Increases Your Risk

In most cases, the cause of a congenital heart defect is not known. But certain things increase your baby's chances of developing a heart defect.

• Family history: A child's risk for having a congenital heart defect increases if a brother, sister, or parent has one.
• Other genetic conditions: For example, Down syndrome has been linked to congenital heart defects.¹
• Premature birth: Babies born too early have a higher chance of having a congenital heart defect.
• Chronic conditions: Babies born to women with diabetes or phenylketonuria have a higher chance of having a congenital heart defect.

Women who plan to become pregnant and women who are pregnant can lower their risk of having a baby with a congenital heart defect by taking steps to have a healthy pregnancy.