Congenital heart defects are heart problems present at birth. They happen when the heart does not develop normally before birth. About 1% of infants are born with one or more heart or circulatory problems.

Doctors usually do not know the cause of congenital heart defects, but they do know of some conditions that increase a child's risk of being born with a heart defect. They include

* Congenital heart disease in the baby's mother or father.
* Congenital heart disease in the baby's brother or sister.
* Diabetes in the mother.
* German measles, toxoplasmosis (an infection that is passed through contact with cat feces), or HIV infection in the mother.
* The mother's use of alcohol during pregnancy.
* The mother's use of cocaine or other drugs during pregnancy.
* The mother's use of certain over-the-counter and prescription medicines during pregnancy.

Even if one or more of these conditions is present, it does not mean that the baby will be born with a heart defect. Also, babies can be born with heart defects even when none of these conditions are present. Rarely can families predict or prevent congenital heart defects. Of course, every pregnant woman needs to do all she can to ensure the health of her baby, like avoiding alcohol, drugs, and exposure to the German measles and environmental toxins.