[Relationship between congenital heart disease and various factors affecting pregnancy].

In a prospective epidemiological study data of 24,732 pregnancies were analysed by computer programmes for the incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) and its relationship to various factors affecting pregnancy (age and weight of mother, smoking, alcohol-, and coffee-consumption, usage of oral contraception). Frequency of CHD was 0.9%. Data showed that CHD could be associated with alcohol consumption, smoking, maternal age. Other factors like coffee consumption or taking oral contraceptive tablets did not influence the frequency of CHD. Authors conclude that in the prevention of CHD, reduction or even omission of both alcohol consumption and smoking are highly justified.