A 31-year-old member asked:
What causes a baby to get tetralogy of fallot?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Danae Steeleanswered
Maternal-Fetal Medicine 33 years experience
We don't know: In most cases tetralogy of fallot is thought to be "multifactorial", meaning that there are possibly genes, and also environmental factors which might increase a child's potential of having the defect.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. David Malpassanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 35 years experience
Multiple factors: It is still unclear what causes tof. There are both genetic and environmental factors that appear to increase the risk: poor maternal nutrition; alcohol consumption; maternal age > 40; maternal diabetes; maternal rubella; genetic disorders/syndromes (down syndrome or digeorge syndrome); parent or previous child with tof; maternal pku; maternal use of fluconazole, tegretol, or dilantin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 45-year-old member asked:
Is getting a tetralogy of fallot hereditary?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Complex gene impact: Heart defects develop from multiple genetic and non gene factors.They are not inherited directly like eye color or blood type. The general risk ~.5% will increase for any family factor. Mom, dad or another sibling with any heart defect increases the general risk/pregnancy. Exposures to certain meds, alcohol, inherited syndromes count. A second defect if it occurs, may be more or less complex.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 23, 2016
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