The Children's Hospital of Mexico 'Federico Gómez' carries out more than 500 procedures a year to treat congenital heart diseases in newborns. Approximately 1% of newborns in Mexico have this condition, which amounts to between 18,000 and 20,000 new cases per year. These cardiac malformations can be fatal if not detected and treated in time.
In the first hours of a baby's life, neonatal screening with pulse oximetry can identify severe heart conditions that require immediate treatment. Dr. Iñaki Navarro Castellanos, head of the Cardiology Department at the Children's Hospital of Mexico 'Federico Gómez,' emphasized that the consumption of certain medications and chemicals during the first trimester of pregnancy can increase the risk.
To reduce this possibility, he recommended avoiding contact with people who have viral infections, maintaining proper gynecological follow-up, having a balanced diet, and consuming folic acid before conception. Additionally, he indicated that vaccination against diseases such as rubella is effective in preventing these conditions.
On the occasion of International Congenital Heart Disease Day, the Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of strengthening prevention, promoting timely diagnosis, and training health personnel to improve early detection and treatment. The Children's Hospital of Mexico 'Federico Gómez' has become a crucial center for the care of these patients, performing around 320 catheterizations and 250 corrective surgeries annually.
According to Dr. Juan Francisco García García, head of the Cardiology Service at the General Hospital of Mexico, congenital heart diseases can be classified into two main types: cyanotic and non-cyanotic. Diagnosis can be made during pregnancy through specialized ultrasounds that detect alterations in heart development.
