Learning that your child has a heart condition present from birth can raise many questions, including whether it was inherited and whether it could affect future pregnancies. It is natural to wonder why congenital heart disease develops and whether there is a genetic reason behind your child’s diagnosis. Understanding the possible causes can help you feel more informed and prepared when discussing your concerns with your healthcare team.
Congenital heart disease is a group of conditions in which the heart develops differently before birth. Some heart defects are linked to genetic changes or inherited conditions, while others result from a combination of genetic, environmental and developmental factors. In many cases, no single cause can be identified. Most diagnoses are not the result of anything a parent knowingly did or failed to do, although certain maternal health conditions, infections, medicines and exposures can increase the risk.
Although having a family history of congenital heart disease can increase the chance of certain heart defects, most children with congenital heart disease are born to parents with no known family history of the condition. If you are planning another pregnancy or have concerns about your family’s risk, speaking with a specialist can help you understand the likelihood of recurrence, discuss genetic testing where appropriate and make informed decisions about future care.
What Is Congenital Heart Disease?
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a term used to describe a range of heart conditions that are present from birth. If your child has CHD, it means your baby’s heart or the blood vessels connected to it developed differently during pregnancy. The type and severity of the condition can vary greatly, so every child has different care needs.
Congenital heart defects can affect different parts of your child’s heart, including the chambers, valves or major blood vessels. Some children have mild heart defects that cause few or no symptoms and may need little or no treatment. Others may require medication, catheter-based procedures or surgery to help your child’s heart function more effectively.
Understanding your child’s specific heart condition can help you feel more confident when discussing treatment and long-term care with the medical team. With early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and regular follow-up, many children with congenital heart disease can grow, develop and take part in everyday activities.
Is Congenital Heart Disease Hereditary?
Congenital heart disease can sometimes have a genetic component, but it is not usually inherited in the same way as conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease. If your child has congenital heart disease, it does not automatically mean that you or another family member has the same condition or that future children will definitely be affected.
In some families, certain genetic changes can increase the likelihood of a child being born with a heart defect. However, many children with congenital heart disease are born to parents who have no family history of heart conditions. This means that your child’s diagnosis is often not linked to a straightforward pattern of inheritance.
In most cases, congenital heart disease is thought to result from a combination of genetic factors, environmental influences and developmental changes that occur during pregnancy. Although the exact cause cannot always be identified, understanding your family’s medical history and discussing your concerns with a specialist can help you better understand your child’s condition and any potential risks for future pregnancies.
How Genetics Can Influence Heart Development
Your baby’s genes provide the instructions that guide how the heart develops during pregnancy. These genetic instructions help form the heart’s chambers, valves and major blood vessels. If certain genes change or do not function as expected, your child’s heart may develop differently before birth, increasing the chance of a congenital heart defect.
Some genetic changes are inherited, while others arise for the first time in the child and are called de novo variants. Finding a genetic variant does not always prove that it caused the heart defect, predict how severe the condition will be or determine the risk to future pregnancies without specialist interpretation.
For many families, genetics is only one part of the picture. Your child’s heart development may be influenced by a combination of genetic factors, environmental influences and normal developmental processes during pregnancy. Understanding these factors can help you discuss your child’s diagnosis with your specialist and determine whether genetic testing or counselling may be appropriate for your family.
Evidence Note
Research suggests that congenital heart disease has a complex genetic basis. Some cases are linked to recognised genetic syndromes or specific gene changes, while many are caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and developmental factors. Advances in genomic testing have helped identify genetic causes in a proportion of children with congenital heart disease.
Are All Heart Defects Caused by Genetics?
Not all congenital heart defects are caused by inherited genetic conditions. In many cases, there is no single identifiable cause for why your child’s heart developed differently before birth. Although genetics can play an important role, many children with congenital heart disease have no known inherited condition or family history of heart defects.
Researchers believe that congenital heart disease often develops because of a combination of factors rather than one specific cause. Your child’s heart development may be influenced by genetic susceptibility alongside environmental factors and normal developmental changes that occur during pregnancy. In many cases, these factors interact in ways that are not yet fully understood.
It is important to remember that you should not assume you caused your child’s heart condition. In most situations, there is nothing you did or did not do during pregnancy that led to the heart defect. Even after detailed investigations, the exact reason for your child’s congenital heart disease cannot always be identified, and this uncertainty is common for many families.
Factors That May Influence Congenital Heart Disease Development
| Factor | How It May Influence Risk |
| Genetic changes | Certain gene or chromosome changes may affect how the heart develops before birth. |
| Family history | Having a close relative with congenital heart disease may increase the chance of certain heart defects. |
| Genetic syndromes | Some chromosome conditions are associated with a higher likelihood of congenital heart defects. |
| Maternal health factors | Certain health conditions during pregnancy may influence heart development. |
| Environmental influences | Some infections, medications or exposures during pregnancy may affect development. |
| Unknown developmental factors | Many cases occur without a clearly identified cause and may involve several interacting factors. |
The Difference Between Inherited and Genetic Conditions
The terms genetic and inherited are often used as though they mean the same thing, but they describe different concepts. A genetic condition develops because of changes in a person’s genes or chromosomes. However, this does not always mean the condition has been passed from a parent to a child.
Some genetic changes are inherited and can be passed through families from one generation to the next. Others occur for the first time in your child during early development and are known as new or spontaneous genetic changes. If this happens, neither you nor your partner may carry the same genetic change, and there may be no previous family history of congenital heart disease.
Understanding the difference between inherited and genetic conditions can help you better understand your child’s diagnosis. Even if your child’s heart condition has a genetic cause, it does not necessarily mean it was inherited. Your healthcare team may recommend genetic testing or counselling to help you understand whether the condition is likely to affect other family members or future pregnancies.
When Does Family History Increase the Risk?
A family history of congenital heart disease (CHD) can increase the likelihood of a child developing a heart defect, especially when a close relative has been affected. Understanding your family history can help your healthcare team provide appropriate advice, monitoring, and support during future pregnancies.
- Affected Close Relatives: Having a parent, sibling or child with congenital heart disease can increase the chance of CHD in future pregnancies. The level of risk depends on the specific heart defect and whether a genetic cause has been identified.
- Multiple Family Members Affected: The likelihood may be higher when several relatives have similar heart conditions or patterns of heart defects.
- Genetic Counselling Support: Your specialist may recommend genetic counselling to help assess family risk and discuss possible causes.
- Additional Pregnancy Monitoring: Extra scans or monitoring may be suggested to check your baby’s heart development during pregnancy.
- Understanding Individual Risk: An increased risk does not mean your child will definitely have a heart defect, and many families with CHD history have healthy children.
Having a family history of congenital heart disease can feel concerning, but it does not mean a heart defect is certain. Your specialist can explain your specific level of risk and guide you on the most suitable screening and care options for future pregnancies.
How Common Is Familial Congenital Heart Disease?
Most children with congenital heart disease are born into families with no previous history of the condition. If your child has been diagnosed with CHD, it does not necessarily mean that the condition runs in your family. In fact, many parents have no known relatives with congenital heart disease before their child’s diagnosis.
Only a proportion of congenital heart disease cases are linked to recognised genetic syndromes or inherited patterns. For most children, the condition is thought to result from a combination of genetic, developmental and environmental factors rather than a single inherited cause. This is why the exact reason for your child’s heart defect cannot always be identified.
Because congenital heart disease includes many different types of heart defects, the likelihood of the condition occurring again can vary depending on your child’s specific diagnosis. Your specialist can explain what your child’s diagnosis means for your family and whether genetic counselling or additional screening may be helpful if you are planning another pregnancy.
Genetic Syndromes Associated With Heart Defects
Some genetic and chromosomal conditions are associated with a higher likelihood of congenital heart defects. If your child has a heart defect alongside other medical or developmental features, your healthcare team may consider whether an underlying genetic syndrome could be contributing to the condition. Identifying these conditions can help guide your child’s ongoing care and treatment.
Certain chromosome changes can affect the way your baby’s heart develops during pregnancy while also influencing growth, learning or other organs in the body. However, not every child with a congenital heart defect has a genetic syndrome, and many children have an isolated heart condition with no other associated health concerns.
When your child’s heart defect is found alongside additional medical features, your healthcare team may recommend genetic testing to provide more information. The results can help you better understand your child’s diagnosis, guide future medical care and clarify whether there is any increased risk for other family members or future pregnancies.
Can Parents Pass Congenital Heart Disease to Their Children?
In some cases, a parent with congenital heart disease may have a higher chance of having a child with a heart defect. If either you or your partner was born with a congenital heart defect, it does not mean your child will definitely be affected. The level of risk varies according to the specific diagnosis, family history and whether an inherited genetic cause has been identified.
The chance of passing on congenital heart disease is influenced by several factors, including the type of heart defect, your family history and whether an inherited genetic change is involved. Some heart conditions have a stronger genetic link than others, while many occur without a clear inherited pattern. This is why each family’s situation is unique.
If either you or your partner has congenital heart disease, specialist advice can help clarify the potential risk to your baby. If the person planning to carry the pregnancy has CHD, they should speak with an adult congenital heart disease cardiologist before conception, or contact their care team as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, because pregnancy may also affect their own heart. A specialist fetal heart scan may be offered to assess the baby’s heart development.
The Role of Genetic Testing
Genetic testing may sometimes be recommended if your child has certain types of congenital heart defects, particularly when there are additional health concerns or a family history of similar conditions. The decision to carry out testing depends on your child’s individual diagnosis and whether your healthcare team believes a genetic cause may be involved.
Testing may identify a chromosomal or gene change that helps guide associated health checks, ongoing care, family testing and counselling about future pregnancies. However, testing does not identify a cause in every child. A negative result does not rule out a genetic contribution, and a variant of uncertain significance may not explain the heart defect.
The results of genetic testing may also help you understand whether there is an increased chance of congenital heart disease affecting future pregnancies or other family members. Your healthcare team or a genetic counsellor can explain what the findings mean for your family, answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about future care and family planning.
UK Guidance Note
In England, NHS genomic testing is commissioned according to the National Genomic Test Directory. Testing may be considered for particular heart defects, a family history of congenital structural heart disease, associated congenital abnormalities, developmental differences or features suggesting a recognised genetic syndrome. Arrangements differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so your paediatric cardiology or clinical genetics team can explain the pathway that applies to your child.
Environmental Factors During Pregnancy
Genetics is only one part of understanding why congenital heart disease develops. Your baby’s heart forms very early in pregnancy, and a range of environmental factors may also influence this complex process. In many cases, however, it is not possible to identify a single reason why your child’s heart developed differently.
Certain maternal health conditions, infections, medications or other exposures during pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of some congenital heart defects. Even so, having one or more of these risk factors does not mean your baby will develop a heart condition. Many pregnancies with recognised risk factors result in healthy babies with normally developed hearts.
It is important to remember that you should not blame yourself if your child is diagnosed with congenital heart disease. In most cases, the condition develops because of a combination of genetic, environmental and developmental factors that are beyond your control. Your healthcare team can help you understand your child’s diagnosis and answer any questions you may have about possible causes.
Does Lifestyle Cause Congenital Heart Disease?
Many parents worry that something they did during pregnancy caused their child’s congenital heart disease. These feelings are completely understandable, but in most cases, there is no single lifestyle choice or event that can explain why your child’s heart developed differently. The formation of the heart is a highly complex process that begins very early in pregnancy and is influenced by many different factors.
Although maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is important for both you and your baby, most cases of congenital heart disease cannot be linked to one specific action or decision. Your child’s heart may have developed differently because of a combination of genetic, developmental and environmental influences, many of which are beyond anyone’s control.
It is important not to blame yourself if your child is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Many parents do everything possible to support a healthy pregnancy, yet congenital heart disease can still occur. If you have concerns about why your child’s condition developed, your healthcare team can help you understand the possible causes and provide reassurance based on your family’s individual circumstances.
Risk Factors That May Be Considered
When assessing the likelihood of congenital heart disease, your healthcare team will consider a range of factors that may influence your baby’s heart development. These can include your family history, known genetic conditions, certain maternal health conditions and specific factors related to your pregnancy. Looking at these factors helps build a clearer picture of your individual circumstances.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean your child will definitely be born with a heart defect. In many cases, babies with recognised risk factors are born with healthy hearts, while some children with congenital heart disease have no identifiable risk factors at all. This is because heart development is complex and often influenced by several factors working together.
Understanding your individual risk factors allows your healthcare team to decide whether any additional monitoring or investigations may be helpful during pregnancy. This personalised approach helps identify potential concerns as early as possible, while also providing you with reassurance and the appropriate support throughout your pregnancy and after your baby’s birth.
Can Congenital Heart Disease Be Detected Before Birth?
Some congenital heart defects can be identified before your baby is born through routine pregnancy ultrasound scans or a specialist test called a fetal echocardiogram. If your healthcare team has concerns about your baby’s heart development or you have certain risk factors, they may recommend additional scans to examine the heart in greater detail.
Receiving a prenatal diagnosis gives you and your medical team time to prepare for your baby’s birth and any care that may be needed afterwards. It also allows specialists to plan the safest place for delivery and arrange prompt assessment or treatment if your baby requires immediate medical support.
Although prenatal screening has improved significantly, not every heart defect can be detected during pregnancy. Some mild or smaller abnormalities may not become apparent until after your baby is born or later in infancy. Even if your pregnancy scans are normal, your baby’s heart will continue to be assessed after birth if there are any signs or symptoms that require further investigation.
The Importance of Family History
Knowing your family medical history can provide valuable information when assessing the risk of congenital heart disease. If you are planning a pregnancy or your child has been diagnosed with a heart defect, sharing details about any relatives who were born with congenital heart disease can help your healthcare team build a clearer picture of your family’s medical background.
You should let your healthcare professional know if you, your partner or any close family members have been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect or a related genetic condition. Even if the condition occurred many years ago or was successfully treated, this information may still be relevant when assessing your child’s diagnosis or planning future pregnancies.
Providing an accurate family history helps your healthcare team decide whether additional monitoring, genetic counselling or further investigations may be appropriate. This personalised approach allows you to receive advice that is tailored to your family’s circumstances and helps ensure you and your child receive the most appropriate care.
Clinical Tip
If your child has congenital heart disease, keep records of any heart conditions affecting close relatives. Even details about relatives who were treated many years ago can help your healthcare team decide whether further assessment or genetic counselling may be useful.
Genetic Counselling for Families
Genetic counselling can help you understand how genetics may be linked to your child’s congenital heart disease. If your child has a heart defect or there is a history of congenital heart disease in your family, a genetic counsellor can explain how inherited and genetic factors may have contributed to the diagnosis. This information can help you feel more informed and confident about your family’s situation.
During a genetic counselling appointment, you can discuss your family medical history, learn about available genetic tests and understand what the results may mean for you, your child and other family members. Your counsellor will answer your questions, explain any potential risks for future pregnancies and help you make informed decisions based on your individual circumstances.
Genetic counselling can be particularly valuable if there is a strong family history of congenital heart disease or if your child’s condition is thought to be associated with a genetic syndrome. By providing personalised information and support, this service helps you better understand your child’s diagnosis and the options available for future family planning and medical care.
Future Pregnancy Risks
Many parents who have a child with congenital heart disease naturally worry about what it could mean for future pregnancies. If your child has been diagnosed with a heart defect, it is understandable to wonder whether another baby might be affected. In most cases, the level of risk varies from one family to another and depends on your individual circumstances.
The likelihood of having another child with congenital heart disease is influenced by several factors, including the type of heart defect, whether a genetic cause has been identified and your family medical history. While some families have an increased chance of recurrence, many later pregnancies are not affected by congenital heart disease.
If you are planning another pregnancy, speaking with your healthcare team can help you understand your individual level of risk. Your specialist may recommend genetic counselling, additional screening or specialist fetal heart scans during pregnancy, giving you personalised information and reassurance based on your family’s specific situation.
Planning for Another Pregnancy
If you are considering another pregnancy after having a child with congenital heart disease, it can be helpful to speak with your healthcare team before you conceive. They can review your family’s medical history, discuss any previous pregnancy findings and answer any questions you may have about the likelihood of congenital heart disease occurring again.
Your healthcare team may recommend pre-pregnancy counselling, genetic assessment or additional investigations depending on your individual circumstances. They can also explain whether specialist monitoring, such as detailed ultrasound scans or fetal echocardiography, may be appropriate during your pregnancy to assess your baby’s heart development.
Having this information before and during pregnancy can help you feel more prepared and supported throughout your journey. By working closely with your healthcare team, you can receive personalised advice, understand your options and ensure that both you and your baby receive the most appropriate care at every stage.
Supporting Your Child With Congenital Heart Disease
A diagnosis of congenital heart disease can feel overwhelming, but many children with CHD go on to live active and fulfilling lives with the right treatment and ongoing support. If your child has been diagnosed with a heart defect, you can take comfort in knowing that advances in diagnosis, medical care and surgery have greatly improved outcomes for many children.
Your child’s care plan will be tailored to their specific heart condition, symptoms and individual needs. Some children require regular monitoring, while others may benefit from medication, procedures or surgery. Your healthcare team will explain each stage of your child’s treatment and help you understand what to expect as they grow and develop.
Regular appointments with your child’s specialist are an important part of long-term care. These check-ups allow your healthcare team to monitor your child’s heart function, growth and overall wellbeing, while also giving you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns. With ongoing support and personalised care, you can help your child achieve the best possible quality of life.
How Medical Advances Have Improved Outcomes
Medical advances in diagnosis, surgery and long-term care have transformed the outlook for children with congenital heart disease. Thanks to improvements in prenatal screening, imaging techniques and specialised treatments, your child has access to more effective care than ever before. Early diagnosis and timely treatment have helped improve both survival rates and long-term quality of life.
Many children who receive appropriate treatment for congenital heart disease grow up to attend school, take part in sports and activities, and enjoy active, fulfilling lives. Although your child’s journey will depend on their specific heart condition, ongoing medical care helps support their growth, development and overall wellbeing throughout childhood and beyond.
Regular follow-up appointments remain an important part of your child’s care, even after successful treatment. These visits allow your healthcare team to monitor your child’s heart function, identify any future concerns at an early stage and provide the support needed as your child grows. With continued advances in paediatric cardiology, many families can look to the future with increasing confidence and reassurance.
When Should Families Seek Specialist Advice?
You may benefit from specialist advice if you have a strong family history of congenital heart disease, have previously had a child with CHD or have concerns about your own heart health. Speaking with a specialist before or during pregnancy can help you better understand your individual circumstances and identify whether any additional assessments may be appropriate.
A specialist can review your family and medical history, discuss whether genetic counselling or testing may be helpful and explain if extra monitoring is recommended during your pregnancy. Depending on your situation, you may also be offered specialist scans, such as fetal echocardiography, to assess your baby’s heart development more closely.
Seeking specialist advice does not mean that your baby will develop a heart condition. Instead, it gives you the opportunity to receive personalised information, ask questions and make informed decisions with the support of an experienced healthcare team. Early guidance can provide reassurance and help ensure you and your baby receive the most appropriate care throughout your pregnancy.
Understanding Your Child’s Individual Risk
Every family’s situation is unique, which means your child’s risk of congenital heart disease cannot be determined using general statistics alone. If your child has been diagnosed with a heart defect or you are planning another pregnancy, your healthcare team will consider your personal and family medical history to provide advice that is specific to your circumstances.
Several factors can influence your individual level of risk, including the type of congenital heart defect, whether a genetic cause has been identified and whether other family members have been affected. These details help your specialist build a more accurate understanding of your family’s situation and determine whether any additional investigations or monitoring may be beneficial.
Having a personalised discussion with your healthcare professional is the best way to understand your child’s individual risk. They can explain what your family’s medical history means, answer your questions and provide recommendations based on your specific circumstances, helping you make informed decisions with greater confidence.
Common Questions Parents Ask About Heredity
Many parents wonder whether they could have prevented their child’s heart defect or whether future children will definitely be affected. These are completely understandable questions, especially after receiving a diagnosis of congenital heart disease. In most cases, however, the answers are more complex than a simple yes or no because every family’s situation is different.
Some congenital heart defects are linked to genetic changes or inherited conditions, while many develop without a clear hereditary cause. If your child has congenital heart disease, it does not automatically mean that another child in your family will have the same condition. Your healthcare team can help you understand how your child’s specific diagnosis may influence future pregnancy risks.
Learning more about the causes of congenital heart disease can often help you feel more informed and reduce unnecessary feelings of guilt. By focusing on your child’s ongoing care, attending regular specialist appointments and seeking personalised medical advice, you can make confident decisions while ensuring your child receives the support they need.
The Importance of Ongoing Medical Support
Follow-up needs depend on your child’s specific heart defect, treatment and ongoing health. Some mild defects require little continuing review, while many children need long-term or lifelong congenital cardiology follow-up and, where appropriate, planned transition to adult congenital heart disease services.
Regular check-ups help your specialist identify any changes in your child’s heart function at an early stage. These appointments also provide an opportunity to review treatments, discuss symptoms and answer any questions you may have about your child’s health, activity levels or long-term outlook. Timely review can identify changes and allow treatment or monitoring to be adjusted when needed.
With the right medical care and ongoing support, many children with congenital heart disease go on to lead active, healthy and fulfilling lives. By attending scheduled appointments and following your healthcare team’s advice, you can help your child manage their condition with confidence and support their wellbeing at every stage of life.
Myth vs Fact: Is Congenital Heart Disease Hereditary?
| Myth | Fact |
| If my child has CHD, I must have passed it on | Many cases occur without a clear inherited cause |
| A family history means my next baby will definitely have CHD | Family history may increase risk but does not mean a child will definitely be affected |
| Genetic testing can explain every case | Genetic testing identifies a cause in some children, but not all |
| Parents cause congenital heart defects | Most cases are linked to complex factors outside parental control |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is congenital heart disease always inherited?
No, most cases of congenital heart disease are not inherited in a straightforward way. While genetics can play a role, many children with CHD are born into families with no previous history of heart defects.
2. Can you pass congenital heart disease on to your child?
In some cases, a parent with congenital heart disease has a higher chance of having a child with a heart defect. However, the level of risk varies according to the specific diagnosis, family history and whether an inherited genetic cause has been identified.
3. Does having a family history of congenital heart disease increase the risk?
Yes, a family history may increase the likelihood of certain congenital heart defects. However, an increased risk does not mean your child will definitely be born with a heart condition, and many families with a history of CHD have healthy children.
4. Are all congenital heart defects caused by genetic changes?
No, not all congenital heart defects are linked to genetics. Many are thought to result from a combination of genetic, environmental and unknown factors, which is why it is often impossible to identify a single cause.
5. What is the difference between a genetic condition and an inherited condition?
A genetic condition is caused by changes in genes or chromosomes, but it is not always inherited from a parent. Some genetic changes occur for the first time in a child and are known as spontaneous or new genetic changes.
6. Should your child have genetic testing if they have congenital heart disease?
Genetic testing may be recommended if your child has certain types of heart defects, other health concerns or a strong family history. The results can help explain the cause of the condition and provide useful information for future healthcare and family planning.
7. Can congenital heart disease be detected before your baby is born?
Yes, some congenital heart defects can be identified during pregnancy through routine ultrasound scans or a specialist fetal echocardiogram. However, not every heart defect can be detected before birth, particularly milder abnormalities.
8. Does something you do during pregnancy cause congenital heart disease?
In most cases, there is no single action during pregnancy that causes congenital heart disease. Heart development is influenced by many factors, and many babies are born with heart defects despite their parents doing everything possible to support a healthy pregnancy.
9. Should you seek genetic counselling if your child has congenital heart disease?
Genetic counselling may be helpful if your child has a heart defect linked to a genetic condition or if there is a strong family history of CHD. A genetic counsellor can explain possible causes, discuss testing options and help you understand any future pregnancy risks.
10. What should you do if you are worried about future pregnancies?
If you are planning another pregnancy after having a child with congenital heart disease, it is a good idea to speak with your healthcare team beforehand. They can review your family history, discuss any potential risks and recommend appropriate monitoring or testing if needed.
Final Thoughts: Understanding the Role of Genetics in Congenital Heart Disease
Learning that your child has a heart condition can raise many questions, especially about whether it could be hereditary and what it may mean for your family in the future. Although genetics can play a role in some cases, most children with congenital heart disease do not have a straightforward inherited condition. The development of the heart is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental and other factors, which means the exact cause is often unknown.
If you would like expert advice about congenital heart disease, a specialist paediatric cardiology assessment can help you understand your child’s condition and discuss appropriate care options. With early evaluation, appropriate monitoring and personalised support, many children with congenital heart disease go on to lead active, healthy lives while giving families the confidence and reassurance they need for the future.
References:
- NHS (2025) Congenital heart disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/congenital-heart-disease/
- Pierpont, M.E., Brueckner, M., Chung, W.K. et al. (2018) ‘Genetic basis for congenital heart disease: revisited: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association’, Circulation, 138(21), pp.e653–e711. Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30571578/ - Richards, A.A. and Garg, V. (2010) ‘Genetics of congenital heart disease’, Current Cardiology Reviews, 6(2), pp.91–97. Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21532774/ - Brueckner, M. and Gelb, B.D. (2017) ‘Genetics and genomics of congenital heart disease’, Circulation Research, 120(12), pp.1822–1835. Available at:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5557504/ - NHS England Genomics Education Programme (2026) Presentation: Infant or child with congenital heart disease. Available at: https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/in-the-clinic/presentation-infant-or-child-with-congenital-heart-disease/
- NHS (no date) Congenital heart disease and pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/existing-health-conditions/congenital-heart-disease/
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (no date) Fetal heart scans. Available at: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/procedures-and-treatments/fetal-heart-scans/