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Can Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy Cause Heart Defects Like ASD Or VSD?

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Posted on Thu, 3 Apr 2014
Question: Hello, I am 28 weeks pregnant with my first child. The perinatologist found a possible septum primum ASD on ultrasound at 25 weeks. I also saw a fetal cardiologist to confirm, but she was unable to confirm yet as the baby's spine was causing too much shadowing. I see her and the perinatologist next week for a repeat echo. They recommended a MaterniT21 test, which was negative for Down Syndrome, and negative for all other screens. My question is if there is an ASD, if my drinking alcohol before I knew I was pregnant could have anything to do with it. It was an unplanned pregnancy, and before I found out right at about 2-3 weeks post conception, I had 3-4 glasses of wine most nights. I immediately stopped after the positive pregnancy test. Also, I was wondering if alcohol this early in the pregnancy could have caused other problems. Everything else on the 20 week ultrasound appeared normal, so I just want to be reassured that everything is okay. I understand any effects on the developing brain would have occurred with continued drinking later than 2-3 weeks post conception? With the brain measurements all appearing normal, and the corpus callosum intact, is it unlikely that there is any mental damage done that early? Also, what is the likelihood of any signs of FAS with the above scenario? Or is it most likely an isolated possible heart defect. Second question, I have just started feeling short of breath as the baby is starting to push up on my diaphragm. And have also had a bad cold this last week. I am definitely having trouble sleeping at night due to breathing issues, and anxiety of feeling like I'm suffocating. I have pretty much avoided all meds throughout the pregnancy, whether they are considered safe or not until this last week, I took some sudafed, and maybe up to 2 benadryl tabs at night. How safe do you consider sudafed and benadryl at the start of the third trimester? Should I try to limit the time to two weeks if needed for insomnia, or is it really and truly safe in your opinion? Thank you!
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Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer: yes Detailed Answer: Hi I read your query and I understand your concerns. Following is my reply 1. Alcohol does cause heart defects like ASD or VSD. Your alcohol intake could have possibly done this. 2. You get it confirmed again by another perinatal specialist. Chances of small ASD defects exist after few weeks. 3. Alcohol need not cause all effects including brain mal development. Since 20 weeks scan of brain is normal it is unlikely that there are any more abnormalities caused by alcohol. It appears to be Isolated heart defect if at all it exists. 4. Benadryl is safe if taken once in a while. 5. Growing baby pushes diaphragm up to accommodate itself. Hence breathing difficulty. Try to sleep with head little inclined up by keeping pillows under or sleep on your left side. 6. I hope I clarified your doubts. Let me know if you have any more questions. Regards Dr. Mahesh Koregol
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Mahesh Koregol

Infertility Specialist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3830 Questions

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Can Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy Cause Heart Defects Like ASD Or VSD?

Brief Answer: yes Detailed Answer: Hi I read your query and I understand your concerns. Following is my reply 1. Alcohol does cause heart defects like ASD or VSD. Your alcohol intake could have possibly done this. 2. You get it confirmed again by another perinatal specialist. Chances of small ASD defects exist after few weeks. 3. Alcohol need not cause all effects including brain mal development. Since 20 weeks scan of brain is normal it is unlikely that there are any more abnormalities caused by alcohol. It appears to be Isolated heart defect if at all it exists. 4. Benadryl is safe if taken once in a while. 5. Growing baby pushes diaphragm up to accommodate itself. Hence breathing difficulty. Try to sleep with head little inclined up by keeping pillows under or sleep on your left side. 6. I hope I clarified your doubts. Let me know if you have any more questions. Regards Dr. Mahesh Koregol