Can anything be done to prevent
these heart defects?
Although
there are no clear cut causes of birth defects of the heart it has been seen
that vitamin and folic acid supplements can have a beneficial effect in
reducing the incidence of these defects. Folic acid is also of benefit in
preventing spine defects in the baby. This is most effective if taken even
before conception. So, if you are planning to get pregnant, start folic acid
supplements before you start trying for a baby.
The
other important precaution you can take is to make sure that you have been immunized
against rubella. This is routine nowadays as part of the vaccination program
but if you have a doubt about whether you have been immunized you can get your
antibody level checked. If you have not been immunized you should get immunized
before you get pregnant.
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| Image of the unborn baby's heart (normal in this patient) |
Apart
from these measures the only other thing you can do if you are a high risk
mother is to get a fetal echo-cardiogram done to detect abnormalities early in
pregnancy.
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