The word "congenital" means "present at birth." Although the causes of congenital heart disease are unknown, there are some known risk factors. These include:
- Congenital heart disease in the baby's mother or father
- Congenital heart disease in the baby's brother or sister
- Diabetes in the mother
- German measles, toxoplasmosis (an infection that is passed through contact with cat feces), or HIV infection in the mother
- The mother's use of alcohol during pregnancy
- The mother's use of cocaine or other drugs during pregnancy
- The mother's use of certain over-the-counter and prescription medicines during pregnancy
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