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Help Stop Congenital Heart Defects

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February 14, A Day Of Hearts....Help Raise Awareness

"Squidoo For CHD" Let's Squidoo To
Save A Child's Heart!

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are a lethal constellation of heart birth defects affecting millions of infants and children worldwide; a killer that claims thousands of lives every year.

On this special day, CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS AWARENESS DAY, a concerted global effort is made to spread awareness of this deadly group of birth defects. We at CHDinfo.com support this event by offering information, resources and support to those whose lives have been touched by Congenital Heart Defects.

As some of you already know, my nephew Jeffrey recently received a heart transplant. Dr. Mani touches a part of me that not very many can. I have just finished reviewing a copy of his new book "47 hearts" and have a link below which will allow you to do the same. I would ask that each one of you click on the link below and review the book at no charge. I have accepted the challenge to have a t least 30 people review this book before its release. Read the book, you will be inspired!

http://47hearts.com/reviewit.htm

What causes CHD

Causes of Congenital Heart Defects

Despite much research, in the majority of cases, Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) occur without any known cause. This is one reason the incidence has remained fairly constant at 7 to 8 cases per 1000 live births over decades, while other forms of heart disease have been declining in frequency.

We know the causes of some forms of congenital heart defects (CHD).

Environmental Insults

During pregnancy, some events are known to be associated with an increased risk for CHD.

Rubella infection: This viral infection, also called German Measles, can cause a syndrome of deafness, heart defects, cataracts and microcephaly. The heart defects most often seen are PDA, PS and ASD.

Thalidomide ingestion: Introduced as a drug for morning sickness, this medicine unleashed a horror when fetuses with gross malformations were delivered months later. The drug can cause major limb defects and a spectrum of heart birth defects too.

Lithium therapy: Used in the treatment of mania and a few other behavioral disturbances, lithium can cause fetal tricuspid valve anomalies if taken during pregnancy.

Fetal alcohol syndrome: A well-documented syndrome noticed in fetuses of women who abuse alcohol during pregnancy includes microcephaly, microphthalmia, growth retardation, developmental delay and heart defects. VSD is the most often seen.

Maternal Lupus Erythematosus: SLE in the mother has been associated with heart blocks in the fetus.

Others: In animal experiments, a variety of other factors have been incriminated in causing CHD. They include:
hypoxia
deficiency or excess of several vitamins
drugs of various categories
ionizing radiation

Genetic Factors Causing Congenital Heart Defects

Genetic aspects of CHD are an area of intense research and study. Single gene mutations may be causative in familial forms of ASD, MVPS, VSD, congenital heart block, pulmonary hypertension and syndromes like Noonan, LEOPARD, Ellis-van Creveld and Kartagener.

Genes responsible for conditions like Long QT syndrome and Holt Oram syndrome have been mapped. Those likely to cause other conditions including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Marfan syndrome and supravalvular AS have been identified.

Chromosome 22 has been implicated in the development of conotruncal malformations.

However, less than 10% of all heart defects can be accounted for by chromosomal and genetic disorders.

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47 Hearts

Help Stop Congenital Heart Defects

February 14, A Day Of Hearts....Help Raise Awareness

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Review Dr. Mani's book and Save a Child

What causes CHD

New Links Voting (Plexo)

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Save our Children

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