What Causes Aortic Stenosis In Newborns?

About Aortic Stenosis

Aortic Stenosis in newborns is a cardiac condition that occurs as a result of narrowing of the aortic valve through which blood flows from the heart to the rest of the body for normal functioning and nourishment. The narrowing of the aortic valve prevents the valve from opening fully thus restricting the flow of blood from the heart to the arteries which carry it to the rest of the body. As a result of the reduced blood flow, the heart has to work that much harder to meet the requirements of the body which ultimately weakens the heart muscles and result in various cardiac conditions in newborns and adults.

Aortic valve replacement is the most preferred treatment for this condition. There are many causes for Aortic Stenosis of which rheumatic fever is the most common which occurs due to a complication of a strep throat.

Having risk factors for coronary artery disease like smoking, having a high cholesterol diet, and hypertension are some of the other causes for an individual developing Aortic Stenosis. In rare cases, a congenital heart defect may also result in the development of Aortic Stenosis.

Aortic Stenosis, if left untreated, may lead to potentially serious complications and may even prove fatal for an affected individual.

What Causes Aortic Stenosis In Newborns?

What Causes Aortic Stenosis In Newborns?

Aortic Stenosis in newborns is normally caused due to a congenital heart defect. Such cases are rare but usually occur due to inappropriate development of the aortic valve during the developmental stages of the fetus.

The aortic valve develops between the first and second trimester or within the first eight weeks of pregnancy. There may be many reasons for the aortic valve to be underdeveloped including a genetic defect that may result in the development of Aortic Stenosis in Newborns.

However, in majority of cases there is no specific cause found for the underdevelopment of the aortic valve leading to Aortic Stenosis in Newborns. In some cases, Aortic Stenosis runs in families and this has also been cited as a reason for development of Aortic Stenosis in Newborns.

In conclusion, it may be rare, but in some cases newborns also have Aortic Stenosis. This may be due to some genetic defect or it may be due to an underdeveloped aorta during the first or the second trimester of the pregnancy for any other reason. However, in majority of the cases the exact reason is unclear as to the cause of Aortic Stenosis in Newborns.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:November 16, 2021

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