Atrial septal defect risk factors

Atrial Septal Defect Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

The cause of atrial septal defects is not known. There does appear to be a genetic component to the disease as it often occurs in patients with Down syndrome. As a parent, if you or a sibling of a child have a congenital heart defect, then you should consider genetic counseling.

If the mother contracts rubella (german measles) during pregnancy, this can increase the risk of congenital heart disease. Exposure to alcohol and cocaine during pregnancy can also increase the risk of a congenital heart defect.