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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffIn most cases, congenital heart defects, such as tricuspid atresia, can't be prevented. If you have a family history of heart defects or if you already have a child with a congenital heart defect, a genetic counselor and a cardiologist experienced in congenital heart defects can help you look at possible risks associated with future pregnancies.
Some steps you can take that might reduce your baby's risk of heart and other birth defects in pregnancy include:
- Get adequate folic acid. Take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. This amount, which is often already in prenatal vitamins, has been shown to reduce brain and spinal cord defects, and folic acid may help prevent heart defects, too.
- Talk with your doctor about medication use. Whether you're taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, an herbal product or a dietary supplement, check with your doctor before using them during pregnancy.
- Avoid chemical exposure, whenever possible. While you're pregnant, it's best to stay away from chemicals, including cleaning products and paint, as much as you can.
- Sondheimer HM, et al. Cardiovascular diseases. In: Hay WW Jr, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3402846. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Single-ventricle defects. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=11072. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Harris IS, et al. Congenital heart disease in adults. In: Crawford MH. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Cardiology. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2009 http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3649722. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Keane JF, et al. Tricuspid atresia: Clinical manifestations. In: Keane JF, et al. Nadas' Pediatric Cardiology. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2390-6..50050-7--cesec5&uniq=198820213&isbn=978-1-4160-2390-6&sid=991370226. Accessed April 30, 2010.
- Congenital heart defects. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1212.asp. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Tricuspid atresia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec19/ch287/ch287i.html. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Sittiwangkul R, et al. Outcomes of tricuspid atresia in the Fontan era. Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2004;77:889.
- Berg C, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of tricuspid atresia: Intrauterine course and outcome. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2010;35:183.
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