congenital heart defects

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I know these occur in utero. I know that most that happen in the first 2 weeks gestation end in miscarriage. I know that the heart beats at approx 3 weeks and formation of the heart is generally completed by the 8th week gestation. Is it possible those for a congential heart anomaly to occur past the 8 weeks of gestation? The question specifically says, "the mother asks the nurse of her newborn with congenital heart anomaly when do congenital heart anomalies occur during development. Which response is most accurate?

a. don't really know when (not correct)

b. depends on what caused the defect

c. occur between the 3rd and 5th week (most but not all, so I am leaning away from this)

d. usually occur during first 2 weeks (but end in miscarriage.)

So I am thinking that it's either b or c. I don't like c because it doesn't include the entire 3-8 weeks but can't figure out if b is right, either.... any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated.

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B. It really does depend on what causes it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Strictly speaking "CONGENITAL" heart defects are during the first 8 weeks of development....when something goes wrong. A baby's heart begins to develop at conception, but is completely formed by eight weeks into the pregnancy. Congenital heart defects happen during this crucial first eight weeks of the baby's development. Specific steps must take place in order for the heart to form correctly. Often, congenital heart defects are a result of one of these crucial steps not happening at the right time, leaving a hole where a dividing wall should have formed, or a single blood vessel where two ought to be.......Congenital heart disease, congenital heart defects

A baby’s heart begins to develop early and begins beating just 22 days after conception. Between days 22 and 24, the heart begins to bend to the right and fold itself into a loop. By day 28, the tube has a general heart-shaped form with the structures of the chambers and blood vessels in place. It is during this time of development that structural defects can occur.

congenital heart defects into several categories in order to better understand the problems the baby will experience. They include:

  • problems that cause too much blood to pass through the lungs
    These defects allow oxygen-rich blood that should be traveling to the body to re-circulate through the lungs, causing increased pressure and stress in the lungs.
  • problems that cause too little blood to pass through the lungs
    These defects allow blood that has not been to the lungs to pick up oxygen (and, therefore, is oxygen-poor) to travel to the body. The body does not receive enough oxygen with these heart problems, and the baby will be cyanotic, or have a blue coloring.
  • problems that cause too little blood to travel to the body
    These defects are a result of underdeveloped chambers of the heart or blockages in blood vessels that prevent the proper amount of blood from traveling to the body to meet its needs

So I say the answer is C
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:bowingpur: I bow to Esme's excellent online search capability.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I hate to just post what I know is right......gotta find the proof.....that's the OCD in me....:confused:

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thanks all. I guess I am going to go with C then. Frustrating sometimes when the answers aren't what is in our book. I am OCD also which is why I spent hours trying to figure this and 1 other question out. blah.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
thanks all. I guess I am going to go with C then. Frustrating sometimes when the answers aren't what is in our book. I am OCD also which is why I spent hours trying to figure this and 1 other question out. blah.
OCD? Then you will be a great nurse...LOL
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