Congenital heart disease differential diagnosis


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org] Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu], Atif Mohammad, M.D.; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
During diagnostic evaluation, it is important to recognize that signs and symptoms of congenital heart disease can be similar to other conditions. Differentiation must be made between other genetic disorders such as Trisomy 13, Turner's Syndrome, Down's Syndrome, Noonan Syndrome, Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome, Marfan's Syndrome.

Differential Diagnosis
Several conditions, produce signs and symptoms that are similar to those produced by congenital heart disease. These include:
 * Genetic disorders
 * Trisomy 13
 * Turner's Syndrome
 * Down's Syndrome
 * Noonan Syndrome
 * Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome
 * Marfan's Syndrome
 * Alcohol use of the mother
 * Chemotherapeutics
 * Thalidomide
 * Retinoic acid
 * Immunosuppressives
 * Hypoxia (Lack of oxygen)
 * Radiation
 * Rubella