Relationship between periconceptional nutritional factors and the risk of congenital heart defects

Abstract

Congenital heart defects(CHD)is one of congenital malformations affected by various factors during embryonic development, which leads to heart or vascular abnormalities.CHD is the most common congenital malformations, and it is an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality.CHD can be corrected by surgery.But surgery may also lead to a variety of surgical complications and even the risk of disease recurrence, which has brought enormous economic burden.It is widely recognized that the incidence of congenital heart defects is caused by the combined effect of genetic factors and environmental factors.In recent years, growing attention has been paid to the correlation between maternal periconceptional nutritional factors and the risk of neonatal congenital heart defects.Recent research suggests that the incidence of CHD is associated with supplements including folic acid, vitamin A and zinc, and maternal factors may reduce or prevent the incidence of CHD by getting the supplements of these nutrients appropriately during periconceptional period.This article reviews the correlation between periconceptional nutritional factors(folic acid, vitamin A, zinc, vitamin B, Vitamin E)and the risk of congenital heart defects.Their etiology, pathogenesis and prevention measures are also discussed. Key words: Congenital heart defects; Periconceptional; Folic acid; Vitamin A; Zinc; Vitamin B; Vitamin E