{"id":3194,"date":"2023-02-20T12:53:53","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T12:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.genesis-foundation.net\/blog\/?p=3194"},"modified":"2025-12-26T17:21:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T17:21:16","slug":"heart-talk-understanding-the-stages-involved-in-having-a-child-with-a-congenital-heart-defect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genesis-foundation.net\/blog\/heart-talk-understanding-the-stages-involved-in-having-a-child-with-a-congenital-heart-defect\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart Talks: Understanding the stages involved in having a child with a congenital heart defect."},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, February 7-14th<\/sup>, was globally observed as the Congenital Heart Defect(CHD) Awareness week. The focus of this week is to honour families who have children born with a congenital heart defect and at the same time raise awareness about the condition. Raising awareness is important because not only are most people unaware of CHD, but the more awareness we raise, the more likely it is to lead to timely diagnosis and a timely child heart treatment. Increased awareness also is likely to influence more funding into research for CHD treatment. It is also likely to help divert CSR funds towards NGOs for heart treatment, that are working to make a difference in this area.<\/p>\n

Last week, as part of the many efforts we undertook to build and increase this awareness, we produced a video series called Heart Talks \u2013 a 4-part series that looks at different stages of CHD right from early detection during the pregnancy, to preparing to deliver a child who has been diagnosed with a CHD, to living with a CHD.<\/p>\n

This Blog briefly encapsulates the essence of the 4 videos during the 4 critical stages:<\/p>\n

1. Early Detection and Screening<\/strong>: Congenital heart defects account for 1\/3rd<\/sup> of all birth defects \u2013 that is a huge number. While there are no known causes of a baby being born with a congenital heart defect, there are number of things that can increase the risk of having a child with one. Some genetic conditions, for example, predispose a child to being born with a CHD. 50% of children who have Down Syndrome, for example, also have a CHD. Turner\u2019s Syndrome is another condition that usually affects females and includes CHD in it\u2019s spectrum. Abnormal insulin levels of the mother can also impact the development of the heart of the foetus. Smoking, consuming alcohol, eating certain medicines such as Isotopes can also impact the heart of the foetus. Infections such as Rubella and measles can predispose the foetus from developing a CHD. All the above should be looked at during pregnancy to minimise the risk of the child being born with a heart defect. In addition, screening during pregnancy must be done to check for the normal functioning of the foetus\u2019s heart. Between 5-6 weeks of the pregnancy, the heart rate and rhythm should be checked to ensure that heart rate of the foetus should be between 120-180 beats per minute and the rhythm should be regular. At 20 weeks a detailed structural ultrasound should look at the development of the heart and at 22-24 weeks a foetal echocardiogram should be done to assess any defects in the baby\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n