Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffWhile the exact cause of tetralogy of Fallot is unknown, several factors may increase the risk of a baby being born with this condition. These include:
- A viral illness in the mother, such as rubella (German measles), during pregnancy
- Maternal alcoholism
- Poor nutrition
- A mother older than 40
- A parent with tetralogy of Fallot
- Babies who are also born with Down syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome
References
- Tetralogy of Fallot. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/tof/tof_all.html. Accessed Nov. 7, 2009.
- Tetralogy of Fallot. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11071. Accessed Nov. 7, 2009.
- Bailliard F, et al. Tetralogy of Fallot. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2009;4:2.
- Tetralogy of Fallot. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec19/ch287/ch287g.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2009.
- Tetralogy of Fallot. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/TetralogyOfFallot.htm. Accessed Nov. 11, 2009.
- Apitz C, et al. Tetralogy of Fallot. The Lancet. 2009;374:1462.
- ACC/AHA 2008 guidelines for the management of adults with congenital heart diseases. Washington D.C. and Dallas, Tex.: American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.190690v1. Accessed Nov. 7, 2009.

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