Atrial septal defect causes
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [[2]]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [[4]]
Overview
As is common with most congenital heart conditions, the exact cause of atrial septal defect is not known. Research suggests a potential link between genetic conditions such as Down syndrome and the development of an atrial septal defect. Other potential causes include exposure to environmental contaminants such as rubella as well as alcohol consumption.
Causes
- The cause of atrial septal defect is not known. There does appear to be a genetic component to the disease as it often occurs in patients with Down syndrome. Atrial septal defects are often associated with other malformations. There is a well described association with primum or secundum ASDs with Down syndrome. Other associated lesions include:
As a parent, if you or a sibling of a child have a congenital heart defect, then you should consider genetic counseling.
- There are a small group of ASDs that may have a familial occurrence.
- If the mother contracts rubella (german measles) during pregnancy, this can increase the risk of congenital heart disease. In one study, exposure to alcohol during pregnancy doubled the risk of an atrial septal defect[1].